Rafael unveils long-range ROCKS air-to-surface missile

ROCKS Photo: Rafael Spokesperson
ROCKS Photo: Rafael Spokesperson

On show at Aero India, the new missile travels faster than the speed of sound and can destroy underground targets.

Israeli defense electronics company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has unveiled the new Rocks long-range air to surface missile capable of destroying underground targets at the Aero India show in Bangalore.

According to Rafael, the new missile can be fired long distances from a combat aircraft towards surface and underground targets so that the aircraft remains outside of the area targeted by air defense systems. The missile travels faster than the speed of sound further reducing the likelihood that the aircraft firing the missile will be detected by anti-aircraft defenses. Rafael says that the missile can also hit moving targets and also disrupts GPS navigation systems, if it is targeted.

The Rocks missile itself is guided most of the way to the target by a GPS navigation system, while the final meters are carried out by a homing device and processing photographs of the target to ensure a precise hit. Rafael has not disclosed full details about the range of the missile and its payload but stresses that the warhead is lethal

Rafael VP & Head of the Air and C4ISR Systems Sector Yuval Miller said, "The Rocks is an advanced and innovative missile and we have also applied technology already used in the Spice missile weapons system, which is already operational."

Sources believe that Rafael has designed the new missile especially for the Indian market where the Israeli company has been active for several decades through various subsidiaries and many business partnerships. As part of its collaboration with India, Rafael has already transferred knowhow which allows local companies to manufacture some of its products in India as part of the Indian government's Make in India policy.

Rafael has also been waiting for some time for the green light from the Indian government for a deal for Spike anti-tank missiles worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The deal is being held up by internal squabbling in India over whether to buy the Rafael anti-tank missiles or an alternative missile being developed in India.

Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on February 20, 2019

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2019

ROCKS Photo: Rafael Spokesperson
ROCKS Photo: Rafael Spokesperson
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