Military Knowledge: Sparrow Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles And ROCKS Missile

Air-launched ballistic missiles, launched from fighter jets, can be highly effective and strategically advantageous for attacking targets. Their significance is especially notable when surprise and rapid deep strikes are required in environments with sophisticated and impenetrable defense systems.

Sparrow missiles gained great attention after their remnants were discovered following the Israeli attacks on Iran on April 19 and then again on October 26. The missile boosters from the first attack were found in Al-Azizia, Wasit Province, which is 100 kilometers from the Iranian border and near Baghdad. In the second attack, the remnants were located in Salahuddin Province.

Ballistic missiles pose a significant threat to Israel, with Iran being one of the most formidable adversaries in this domain. Iran’s advancements in ballistic missile technology have made it a powerful force, causing considerable concern for Israel.

The Israelis initiated the development of anti-ballistic missile defense systems to mitigate the threat posed by ballistic missiles. However, testing these systems necessitated the use of ballistic missiles, which European countries did not possess in their arsenals. Additionally, treaties like the INF prevented the United States from supplying Israel with these types of missiles.

This situation gave the Israeli regime a viable excuse, with American assistance, to develop high-speed, maneuverable target missiles to test and enhance its anti-ballistic capabilities. Additionally, producing these missiles could enable the Israeli regime to use them offensively, if necessary, to strike distant targets and enemy defense systems.

The Israelis designed the missile to be carried and launched by a fighter jet. This approach could significantly enhance the strategic offensive capabilities of their fighter jets.

The development of this target missile, known as Project Sparrow, was initiated by Israel’s Rafael Military Industries with support from the American company Raytheon.

The Sparrow missile family consists of three models: Black Sparrow, Blue Sparrow, and Silver Sparrow. Depending on the mission requirements, the warheads can be of three different types: liquid-filled warheads, high-explosive warheads, and inert warheads.

Equipped with explosive warheads, Sparrow missiles offer strategic advantages to the Israeli Air Force. Carried by fighters or bombers, these missiles can cover greater distances than ground-launched variants, thanks to the increased range provided by the aircraft and the launch altitude. Their speed and high maneuverability make them particularly effective against heavily defended, deep, and strategic targets.

Furthermore, there is the potential for Sparrow missiles to be equipped with nuclear warhead. Due to Israel’s policy of nuclear ambiguity, this capability is not officially listed in the Sparrow catalog. However, if Israel were to pursue this option, it would undoubtedly pose a significant and dangerous threat.

The official catalog from Rafael Military Industries outlines three flight profiles for these missiles: ballistic trajectory to mimic Scud-level missiles with conventional warheads, barrel roll, and maneuvering to simulate stealthy competitors like Iranian missiles with maneuverable warheads.

Let’s take a closer look at the different models in the Sparrow series. As previously mentioned, there are three models: Black Sparrow, Blue Sparrow, and Silver Sparrow. According to the official catalog, two of these missiles are equipped with detachable warheads.

Black Sparrow and ROCKS missile:
The Black Sparrow is designed as a Scud-B missile simulator. While its speed is unknown, its range is estimated to be between 600 and 800 kilometers. This missile can be launched from F-16 and F-15 fighters. The Black Sparrow measures 4.85 meters in length, weighs 1,275 kilograms, and uses inertial/GPS guidance.

Israel has developed another missile based on the Black Sparrow, called the ROCKS missile. This missile closely resembles the Black Sparrow in both dimensions and appearance.

The ROCKS missile was displayed at the 2019 Aero India air show in Bengaluru, India.

According to available information, the ROCKS missile is a supersonic missile with a speed of approximately Mach 3. It utilizes inertial guidance and GPS for mid-course navigation. Additionally, during the final phase to reach its target, the ROCKS missile is equipped with an electro-optical seeker, and an alleged anti-radiation homing system to enhance its anti-radar capabilities.

The circular error probable (CEP), or the accuracy of this missile, is estimated to be around 3 meters.

The ROCKS ballistic missile can be outfitted with either a penetrating or high-explosive warhead. When equipped with a delay warhead, it becomes particularly effective against fortified targets buried deep underground.

From the limited images available of the ROCKS missile, it appears that the warhead is approximately 1.2 meters in length and has a diameter of about 500 millimeters. Based on the missile’s overall length and weight, and comparing these dimensions with the warhead, it is estimated that the warhead weighs around 150 kilograms.

The range of this missile is estimated to be up to 800 kilometers.

A key question is whether radar-absorbing materials are used in the ROCKS version. While Israel has access to this technology through the U.S., its application in ROCKS is uncertain. The Israelis place significant emphasis on the electro-optical and anti-radiation systems, highlighting their potential to enhance the missile’s targeting accuracy. This emphasis likely stems from their awareness of Iran’s advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Blue Sparrow missile:
The Blue Sparrow missile features a detachable warhead equipped with a Divert Attitude Control System (DACS). DACS consists of small rocket thrusters mounted on the projectile. When activated and fired at short intervals, these thrusters cause the projectile to rotate or change its angle of motion, enabling it to maneuver towards the target. In its role as a target missile, the Blue Sparrow simulates Iranian missiles with maneuverable warheads. When used offensively, it functions as a high-speed, maneuverable ballistic missile.

The Blue Sparrow missile boasts a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers and can reach speeds between Mach 5 and 9, classifying it as a hypersonic ballistic missile.

The Blue Sparrow missile uses a GPS and dual inertial guidance system. The implementation of dual inertia significantly reduces the potential for error. The missile’s accuracy, or circular error probable (CEP), is estimated to be approximately 3 meters.

The Blue Sparrow measures 6.51 meters in length and weighs 1,900 kilograms. Published images indicate that its detachable warhead, including the guidance system, is 2.8 meters long with a diameter of about 530 millimeters.

Given the dimensions of the warhead and the overall weight of the missile, the Blue Sparrow warhead’s weight, similar to the ROCKS, is estimated to be around 150 kilograms.

In classified U.S. documents related to the Israeli attack on Iran, leaked on October 15, 2024, this missile is referred to by the code name “Golden Horizon.”

Silver Sparrow missile:
The Silver Sparrow missile is another variant in the Sparrow series. Similar to the Blue Sparrow, it features a detachable warhead. However, it is larger and heavier in terms of both dimensions and weight.

The Silver Sparrow has been reported to measure 8.39 meters in length and weigh 3,130 kilograms.

There are no images of the Silver Sparrow missile or its tests available. Reportedly, due to its high weight, the first test launch was conducted by a C-130 aircraft. The Silver Sparrow was initially tested on September 2, 2013. The launch, originating from the Mediterranean Sea, was detected by the Russian missile early warning radar in Armavir, and the Israelis confirmed the test shortly thereafter.

Based on the available information, the Silver Sparrow warhead appears to be very similar in size to the Blue Sparrow’s. However, a larger booster has been used to extend its range, which is estimated to be up to 1,500 kilometers.

Based on official catalog information, the missile’s guidance system utilizes both GPS and inertial navigation. Its accuracy is estimated to be around 3 meters, similar to the Blue Sparrow missile.

Specifications of the Sparrow family missiles:
Type: Air-launched ballistic missile
Manufacturer: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Origin: Israel

Black Sparrow missile:
Range: up to 800 km
Length: 4.85 m
Weight: 1275 kg
Propulsion: single stage solid propellant
Guidance: GPS/INS

ROCKS missile:
Range: up to 800 km
Length: 4.85 m
Weight: 1275 kg
Warhead length: ~ 1.2 m
Warhead diameter: ~ 500 mm
Warhead weight: ~ 150 kg
Propulsion: single stage solid propellant
Guidance: GPS/INS – EO seeker
Speed: ~ Mach 3
Accuracy: ~ 3 m CEP

Blue Sparrow Missile:
Range: up to 1000 km
Length: 6.51 m
Weight: 1900 kg
Warhead length: 2.8 m
Warhead diameter: ~ 530 mm
Warhead weight: ~ 150 kg
Propulsion: single stage solid propellant
Guidance: GPS – Dual INS
Speed: Mach 5 +
Accuracy: ~ 3 m CEP

Silver Sparrow Missile:
Range: up to 2000 km
Length: 8.39 m
Weight: 3130 kg
Warhead length: 2.8 m
Warhead diameter: ~ 530 mm
Warhead weight: ~ 150 kg
Propulsion: single stage solid propellant
Guidance: GPS – Dual INS
Speed: Mach 5 +
Accuracy: ~ 3 m CEP

Sparrow and ROCKS missile posters in Persian and Russian:

Sources:
Sparrow target missile
ROCKS (missile)
Israel’s Rafael Eyeing to Sell Rocks to India