Israel Unveils New Cruise Missile Launchable from Air, Land, and Sea

Israeli advanced defense systems company "Rafael" unveiled on Tuesday a new cruise missile named "Super Ice," which features a 1,000-pound warhead and launch capabilities from air, land, and sea platforms.

The new missile is an extension of the "Ice Breaker" family, which Rafael revealed between 2021 and 2022, but it carries a warhead weighing approximately 454 kilograms, compared to about 113 kilograms in the previous generation—four times heavier—and boasts greater speed and longer range.

Despite its heavy warhead, "Super Ice" was designed to be launchable from various major Israeli military aircraft, including the F-35, F-16, and F-15, unlike some heavier weapons that require only F-15 jets for launch, which are older aircraft lacking stealth capabilities.

The company refused to disclose the maximum range or speed of the new missile, but the previous "Ice Breaker" missile has a range exceeding 300 kilometers and a speed of at least 0.8 to 0.9 Mach, suggesting that the new version surpasses these capabilities, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Stronger Warhead and Multiple Launch Platforms

Developments in "Super Ice" are not limited to the increased warhead weight; the missile supports launch from air, land, and sea platforms, providing users with flexibility in choosing the launch method based on the nature of the target and operational conditions.

The missile carries a warhead compatible with the American MK-83 aerial bomb and relies on an advanced autonomous navigation system that allows it to fly at low altitudes while tracking terrain and operating in various weather conditions.

It also includes an electro-optical guidance system based on high-resolution image matching technology, enabling precise targeting of diverse locations and objectives.

One of the most prominent advantages of cruise missiles in this family is their ability to fly at low altitudes.

Rafael stated that the new missile combines advanced technologies including autonomous navigation and electro-optical guidance, while the previous generation also included artificial intelligence and anti-jamming technologies, and it is believed that these systems have undergone further development in the new version.

Rafael: A Weapon for Destroying High-Value Targets

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz said that "Super Ice" is "the best cruise missile of its kind in the world," considering that it provides a solution for executing strikes from outside defense ranges and destroying high-value targets, including air defense systems, from long distances.

He added that the missile continues a tradition started by the company decades ago with the development of air-to-ground "Popeye" missiles, reflecting its engineering and technological capabilities and expertise in developing advanced systems.

Although the missile was unveiled on Tuesday, it is expected to enter operational service in early 2027.