Delilah missile
Encyclopedia
The Delilah missile is a cruise missile
developed in Israel
by Israel Military Industries
(IMI), built to target moving and re-locatable targets with a CEP
of 1 metres (3.3 ft)
and upgraded F-4E
attack aircraft.
is air-launched and was configured after the US MQM-74 Chukar
aerial target. It entered service in the mid-1960s. Its purpose was to find radar sites when they lit up on the drone, allowing them to be found and destroyed.
, with a turbo jet engine that allows the ability to loiter in order to enable it to target well-hidden threats, as well as attack moving targets, making it ideal in destroying Surface-to-air missile
threats. It has a range of 250 km, and can destroy targets both on sea and on land. An autopilot onboard as well as an INS/GPS navigation system allows the missile to perform its mission autonomously; a data link enables intervention and target validation. The missile can be fitted with a variety of warheads and can be fitted to most aircraft.
It can be fired from aircraft, helicopter, or ground launcher. Its compact dimensions allow it to be carried by the Sikorsky UH-60A and SH-60B
helicopters. It carries a small but effective warhead to allow it to destroy the target but minimize collateral damage.
This missile was first used in combat by Israel
over Lebanon
in July and August 2006, launched by F-16D fighter aircraft.
The Delilah-GL is a ground-launched version of the Delilah cruise missile, that has a range of 250 km. It is equipped with a 30 kg conventional explosive warhead but is capable of carrying other payloads, such as infrared target seeking and guidance devices. It is guided by GPS and has the ability to loiter in the target area, before confirming the target through real-time visual intelligence.
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
developed in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
by Israel Military Industries
Israel Military Industries
Israel Weapons Industries , formerly the "Magen" division of the Israel Military Industries Ltd. is an Israeli firearms manufacturer. In 2005, the Small Arms Division of IMI was privatized....
(IMI), built to target moving and re-locatable targets with a CEP
Circular error probable
In the military science of ballistics, circular error probable is an intuitive measure of a weapon system's precision...
of 1 metres (3.3 ft)
Overview
The Delilah missile is the name of several variants of an Israeli missile built by IMI. It was originally developed as an aerial decoy, but evolved into an offensive strike weapon in the 1990s used by Israel F-16'sF-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
and upgraded F-4E
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
attack aircraft.
Delilah UAV
The Delilah anti-radiation attack droneUnmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
is air-launched and was configured after the US MQM-74 Chukar
BQM-74 Chukar
The BQM-74 Chukar is a series of aerial target drones produced by Northrop. The Chukar has gone through three major revisions, including the initial MQM-74A Chukar I, the MQM-74C Chukar II, and the BQM-74C Chukar III...
aerial target. It entered service in the mid-1960s. Its purpose was to find radar sites when they lit up on the drone, allowing them to be found and destroyed.
Delilah missile
The Delilah is an air-launched stand-off and cruise missileCruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
, with a turbo jet engine that allows the ability to loiter in order to enable it to target well-hidden threats, as well as attack moving targets, making it ideal in destroying Surface-to-air missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
threats. It has a range of 250 km, and can destroy targets both on sea and on land. An autopilot onboard as well as an INS/GPS navigation system allows the missile to perform its mission autonomously; a data link enables intervention and target validation. The missile can be fitted with a variety of warheads and can be fitted to most aircraft.
It can be fired from aircraft, helicopter, or ground launcher. Its compact dimensions allow it to be carried by the Sikorsky UH-60A and SH-60B
SH-60 Seahawk
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...
helicopters. It carries a small but effective warhead to allow it to destroy the target but minimize collateral damage.
This missile was first used in combat by Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
over Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
in July and August 2006, launched by F-16D fighter aircraft.
The Delilah-GL is a ground-launched version of the Delilah cruise missile, that has a range of 250 km. It is equipped with a 30 kg conventional explosive warhead but is capable of carrying other payloads, such as infrared target seeking and guidance devices. It is guided by GPS and has the ability to loiter in the target area, before confirming the target through real-time visual intelligence.
External links
- Delilah-AL on IMI website
- Delilah-SL on IMI website, Brochure
- Delilah-HL on IMI website
- Delilah-GL on IMI website, Brochure
- Delilah AL and Delilah HL, Air-to-surface missiles - Stand-off and cruise
- Delilah Precision Surface Attack Weapon
- Delilah - The IAF Loitering Missile
- Israel used Delilah missile in Lebanon