After more than 200 Iranian missiles attacked Israel, the country’s defense forces headed by Benjamin Netanyahu declared that The intervention will be carried out at the time and in the manner they deem appropriate.. These bombings forced the anti-aircraft defenses of populated areas to operate at full capacity and were carried out in parallel with the operations and incursions of the Israeli army in Lebanon, from where the Spanish Ministry of Defense has already carried out two repatriation flights .
The Hamas incursion in October 2023 marked a paradigm shift in the region and the start of an escalation which, for the moment, does not appear to have reached its maximum tension ceiling. These local, high-intensity conflicts – which could also include the war between Russia and Ukraine – have forced an overhaul of the arsenal available in Israel.
The current scenario requires cheaper ammunition which increases availability and are compatible with various aerial platforms from which to execute attacks. The possibility of a low altitude launch is also considered, which prevents detection and significantly reduces exposure to crews and aircraft.
Continuing on this path, just over two months ago, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented at the Farnborough Airshow a new missile called Wind Demon (Wind Demon, in English), capable of adapting to a wide variety of aerial platforms.
As explained in a press release, this projectile represents a new approach to cruise missiles responsible for carrying out surface attacks from the air, and has been described as a “light and affordable” munition.
Wind Demon
“We are seeing growing demand in the market for effective and affordable systems that offer mass attacks” said Guy Barlev, executive vice president and general manager of IAI’s space, missiles and systems group.
“We designed Wind Demon to meet this market demand and we do so by offering significant capabilities at an affordable price allowing customers to purchase in large quantities“. It is an approach similar to that of the American Anduril, which recently presented the Barracuda, cheap and easy to produce on a large scale.
As the IAI explains, the Wind Demon missile offers a pragmatic response to the changing nature of warfare, where “affordable mass can generate lethality.” They also indicate that it is a modular platform characterized by its “adaptability and advanced capabilities operate in all areas of warfare.
It was developed following “an extensive study which highlighted the need for large quantities of effective ammunition”. without giving up a wide flight range. Once fired from an aerial platform, such as a helicopter or patrol aircraft, the Wind Demon follows a mission flight plan to a fixed or moving target, which may be more than 200 kilometers away.
Wind Demon cruise missile
Although IAI does not specify exactly the operating range achieved by its Wind Demon, its data sheet presents some data and specifications. The missile has a takeoff weight of 140 kilograms and has a shooting accuracy of 1 meter.
The Wind Demon is one of the self-guided missiles that “also offers the man in the know“, they emphasize. This means that a the person can monitor at any time where the ammunition is going and, if decided, cancel the attack.
Omicrono
Furthermore, “this allows approach the enemy at low altitude and from a distancelaunch the missile and withdraw”. These capabilities are achieved through an electro-optical and laser target search system that performs the tasks of “target detection, discrimination and classification with millimeter precision for day and night operations “.
The warhead exceeds 20 kilograms and can be adapted according to the needs of the operation between explosive, fragmentation and penetration warheads. At the same time, “its low flight profile improves its survivability by avoiding detection and disruption, in combination with its immune navigation system” against electronic warfare.
Popeye Turbo
With an effective range several orders greater, Israel has the Popeye cruise missile in its arsenal. There are air-launched versions, but the one that stands out the most is its naval version. compatible with Delfín class submarines and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead on board.
The Popeye family of missiles began to be developed in the 80s of the last century by the Rafael Advanced Systems company. The missile entered service in 1986, but its international success favored the continuity of the improvement integration program and the creation of new versions.
The Popeye missile on display
It was then that in 1994 Rafael incorporated an additional twin fan motor which gave greater range to the ammunition and with the aim of selling it in the UK. The British eventually distanced themselves from the project, but Israel continued to fund development over the following years. In 2002, US intelligence detected a missile launch in the Indian Ocean. with a range of approximately 1,500 km.
From this point on and with the arrival of the Delfín submarines – and later the Delfín II – analysts highlighted the incorporation of the Popeye Turbo (turbofan) into the range available in their submersibles. It is estimated to have a range of 2,000 kilometers and can carry a 20 kiloton nuclear warhead.
