Israel launches 1,000-pound cruise missile! The warhead has been increased to 4 times that of the previous generation, specifically targeting these three types of high-value targets.

Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Rafael) has launched a new large-scale cruise missile "Super Ice", which is equipped with a warhead weighing 1,000 pounds (about 454 kilograms), which is four times the size of the company's previous generation Sea Breaker and Ice Breaker missiles. It can be launched from fighter aircraft, ground and sea platforms, targeting high-value targets such as bunkers, ballistic missile launch sites and large warships.

The US military media "Breaking Defense" reported that Rafael officially unveiled Super Ice on the 11th. According to the video provided to the media in advance, the missile's attack targets include fortified bunkers, ballistic missile launch sites and large warships. Rafael positions it as a new generation of long-range cruise missile, but the exact range has not yet been announced, nor has it been confirmed whether it has been put into service.

Super Ice is a new member of Rafael’s cruise missile series. The first two models are Sea Breaker launched in 2021 and Ice Breaker launched in 2023. The previous-generation missile had a warhead of about 250 pounds, and the Sea Breaker had a range of about 300 kilometers; Rafael said the Super Ice would have a longer range, but no specific figure has been announced yet. Its size is significantly enlarged and is closer to the US-made Tomahawk cruise missile.

Information released by Rafael pointed out that Super Ice has artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, adopts a low-detection design, and uses image comparison technology for precise guidance, and can fly at low altitudes. The company's presentation video also emphasized that the missile can adapt to the electronic combat environment and perform missions when the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is interfered or unavailable, and the flight speed is high subsonic.

In terms of launch method, Super Ice can be launched from air, land and sea platforms. Rafael also said that the missile is MK83 compatible, which means it may be launched from fighter aircraft with MK83 bomb specifications; the existing Sea Breaker and Ice Breaker launch systems can also support the new missile. The company said that maintaining a common architecture will help customers expand combat capabilities and reduce life-cycle costs.

Rafael Chairman Yuval Steinitz described Super Ice as the best cruise missile of its kind, saying it is suitable for long-distance standoff strikes, targeting high-value facilities such as air defense systems. However, the company has not yet stated whether the missile has achieved combat capability.

Rafael said that its cruise missile series has accumulated orders of US$1 billion as of 2023, and more than 1,000 units will be sold in 2024.