Janes: Israel acquires its first cruise missile
By DOUGLAS DAVIS
LONDON
Israel has achieved a major military breakthrough by acquiring its first surface-to-surface cruise missile, according to an exclusive report to be published by the London-based Jane's Defense Weekly.
Sources in London told The Jerusalem Post that Washington has twice refused to sell Israel its Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.
But the June 16 issue of Jane's Defense Weekly will reveal that Israel has overcome the obstacle by modifying its own air-launched Delilah missile to enable it to be launched from the ground.
The journal quoted defense sources as saying that the range of the ground-launched Delilah is "well beyond 300km," and that an additional boost engine has been the key to making the adaptation possible.
The missile is reported to be highly sophisticated. It is said to be able to "loiter" over a target area before engaging targets with a choice of 30kg warheads.
The missile, which can use a variety of infrared and electro-optic systems to pinpoint enemies up to 16km away, is capable of selecting its own targets. In addition, it can be used as an unmanned reconnaissance vehicle.
Originally developed as an aerial decoy, the Delilah evolved into a
modular air-strike weapon deployed since the 1990s with Israel's F-16D multi-role fighter aircraft and upgraded F-4E-2000 Kurnass attack aircraft.
The journal notes that in addition to converting the Delilah, other reports suggest that Israel is exploring the possibility of converting Rafael's AGM-142 Popeye III as well as the Gabriel 3 anti-ship weapon into land-attack missiles, each with a range of up to 300km.
It also quotes unconfirmed reports suggesting that Israel Aircraft Industries is developing a longer-range cruise missile that could be deployed from the Israel Navy's Dolphin-class submarines.
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In 1995, Flight International reported that China was providing funding to Israel for development of an air-launched cruise missile based on the Israeli Delilah anti-radiation attack drone. The report noted that China also would be a customer for the new cruise missile. The basic Delilah is a 230-mile range drone which has benefited from U.S. technology in airframe design and in its small U.S.-designed Williams J400-WR-401 engine. This missile has an accuracy of 300 feet.
The new missile (Delilah 2) reportedly will be larger than the Delilah but will retain its basic configuration. It is not clear whether the larger size will allow for both a longer range and a larger payload, or just the latter. This might be provided in the recently revealed Bet Shemesh Sorek 4, which produces 800 pounds of thrust. If and when acquired, this new version of the Delilah would give the PLA a much more useful and accurate cruise missile. It also would provide advanced cruise missile technology in the areas of design, engines, fuel, and guidance.
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/delilah/Delilah.html
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/air_missiles/delilah2/Delilah2.html
