ARIE EGOZI / TELAVIV
Rafael has developed a longer range version of the Black Sparrow air launched target, itself a development of the Popeye/AGM-142 Have Nap air-to-ground missile.
The Extended Range Black Sparrow (ERBS) target will be used for the first time during tests of the Israel Aircraft Industries Arrow anti-tactical ballistic missile in the USA next year.
ERBS will simulate longer-range weapons such as the Scud C/D. Iran, Iraq and Syria have longer-range versions of the Scuds, some indigenously developed.
Rafael has not released ERBS details, but it is thought the main changes are in the booster and the target's aerodynamic configuration. Unit cost is just over $1 million. Black Sparrow was designed to simulate the basic Scud during the Arrow development programme.
Rafael is keen to export Black Sparrow as a target for other ship- and land-based long-range air defence systems. Last year Rafael teamed up with Raytheon to market Black Sparrow in the USA.
Black Sparrow is intended for launch at 42,000ft (12,800m) from Boeing F-15-sized aircraft. After a 6s freefall, the target's motor boosts the Black Sparrow into a ballistic trajectory. Different payloads allow the simulation of different missile warheads, such as explosive or chemical.
Source: Flight International