The New York Times report that an unknown munition, speculated to be the Rocks aero-ballistic missile, has been employed against Iranian air defence systems. The Drive Editor Tyler Rogoway states that some features of missile wreckage near Iranian S-300 air defence system units match with the new aero-ballistic missile of Israel, Rocks. Aero-ballistic missile is a designation for artillery rockets and ballistic missiles modified specifically for launch from aircraft such as fighters and UCAVs. Unlike air-to-ground missiles with various flight patterns, aero-ballistic missiles follow a strictly ballistic flight path with mid-course and terminal corrections. Thanks to a starting speed and altitude, longer ranges and higher speeds are possible due to launch from aircraft.
Three countries—Turkiye, Israel, and Russia — are known to have this type of air-launched weapon ready for use.
Turkiye has currently tested UAV-230 and UAV-122 missiles from AKINCI UCAV. Both are derived from ROKETSAN’s TRG-230, and TRG-122 guided artillery rockets with significant alterations to flight control. UAV-230 is tested at a range of 150 km, while UAV-122 has a range of 55+ km.
Russia is actively using Kh-47 Kinzhal, derived from Iskander SRBM, onboard its modified MiG-31 interceptors. Tu-22M3 bombers are also suspected of being capable of deploying the weapon. The missile can reach hypersonic speeds thanks to the launch platforms’ naturally high speed and altitude.
Israel has developed the Rampage and Rocks aero-ballistic missiles and the Sparrow family of air-launched ballistic missile targets. Rampage is derived from the EXTRA 306 mm artillery rocket and can deliver a 150 kg explosively-formed penetrator warhead up to a range of 250 km. The sparrow family includes variants with varying numbers of stages to test anti-ballistic missile systems against different threats. It can also be fitted with payloads, suggesting a possibility of armament.
The main missile in question, Rocks, is a purpose-built aero-ballistic missile significantly larger than Rampage, with a size matching SRBMs. While there are no statements regarding the range, a larger size suggests a range beyond Rampage. The guidance consists of INS+GPS mid-course guidance and terminal guidance provided by either one of the electro-optical seekers or passive RF seekers against radars.
The passive RF seeker option and the missile’s wreckage being near an air defence site further strengthen the possibility of Rocks being used. If the claims regarding the use of Rocks are true, this will be the first time that the missile has been spotted in action.
