Rafael unveils Sky Sonic: Hypersonic Missile Interceptor

[dani191]

Rafael unveils Sky Sonic: Hypersonic Missile Interceptor​

14/06/2023
Haifa, Israel – June 14, 2023 – RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., a leading defense technology company, announced today that it has developed an advanced interceptor, named “Sky Sonic,” as a groundbreaking defensive response to the growing threat of hypersonic missiles. This revolutionary system will be officially unveiled for the first time at the Paris Air Show, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions, opening next week.
The Sky Sonic interceptor represents a major technological leap in hypersonic missile defense. Designed with exceptional maneuverability and high-speed capabilities, it effectively neutralizes hypersonic missiles, which travel at ten times the speed of sound, with unmatched precision and stealth. RAFAEL’s booth at the Paris Air Show will showcase the interceptor, highlighting the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of air defense technology.
Over the past years, the threat posed by hypersonic missiles has escalated, necessitating proactive measures to safeguard national security. RAFAEL, known for its pioneering contributions in the field of defense systems such as the renowned “Iron Dome,” “David’s Sling,” and the cutting-edge “Iron Beam” laser-based system, is proud to be at the forefront of developing an effective solution to counter hypersonic threats.
Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Chairman of RAFAEL “RAFAEL has identified a marked increase and arousing interest in the international arena with proven operational capabilities and a geopolitical reality that has created many opportunities. We are following the developments and emerging threats in the current security context and are developing the most advanced defense systems. Project Sky Sonic is an innovative, unique development of its kind for the hypersonic weapon threat.
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Major General Yoav Har Even, CEO of Rafael “We are coming to the air show with RAFAEL’s vast and impressive portfolio that includes systems that are at the forefront of technology. We at RAFAEL believe that even the seemingly impossible can be done. We have proven this in the past and will continue to prove it in the future. The orders for these systems are breaking records and for the first time we stand on a backlog of orders of over 40 billion NIS and alongside the activity as a successful global business company, RAFAEL continues to be a significant pillar in the security of the State of Israel.”
Brigadier General Pini Yungman, Executive Vice President and Head of the Air Defense Division at Rafael: “RAFAEL has achieved a reputation as a leading global manufacturer of air defense systems. From groundbreaking and operationally proven systems like the Iron Dome in its various configurations, to the David’s Sling and the SPYDER, we continue to look ahead and develop the next generations of systems to defend against the threats of tomorrow.”
Hypersonic missiles encompass a new family of threats, including hypersonic atmospheric cruise missiles, gliders, and cruisers that travel at incredible speeds while maintaining exceptional accuracy and maneuverability. Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles have the ability to change their course mid-flight. Consequently, a successful defense against hypersonic threats requires a multifaceted approach that involves not only countering their speed but also effectively tracking, detecting, and intercepting their unpredictable flight paths. Developing a comprehensive defensive response to hypersonic threats presents numerous complex challenges, including detection and tracking difficulties that necessitate a synchronized sensor system capable of accurately identifying and locating the threat throughout its trajectory. Furthermore, accurate trajectory prediction demands an interceptor that can swiftly reach the target, minimizing uncertainty associated with target location. Lastly, the interceptor must exhibit exceptional maneuverability and operate on a non-ballistic trajectory to effectively pursue and neutralize the hypersonic threat.

Rafael unveils Sky Sonic: Hypersonic Missile Interceptor - EDR Magazine

Haifa, Israel – June 14, 2023 – RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., a leading defense technology company, announced today that

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[dani191]

i wonder if only china and russia have hypersonic weapons so how israel can check it against such missiles if israel dont have hypersonic missiles?

 

[serenity]

i wonder if only china and russia have hypersonic weapons so how israel can check it against such missiles if israel dont have hypersonic missiles?

Just the understanding of HGV physics may be enough possibly.

Hypersonic in ballistic missile form have long been easily interceptable.

Just the real difficult one is HGV especially higher speed HGV the ones with larger rocket boosters to impart greater kinetic and potential energy onto glider. HCMs are one step down in difficulty to intercept mostly due to considerably lower speeds than HGVs and less trajectory changing. Ballistic missiles are old and relatively easy to intercept. MaRV maybe a bit more of a challenge but scope of trajectories are quite limited.

If this system is claimed to be able to intercept HGVs then it would have been achieved with a good understanding of the physical limits of HGV flight.

Surely Israel has that technical ability if not tested some HGVs in limited capacities enough to understand the nature of their performance. Therefore understand the parameters interceptor performance would require to achieve at minimum some theoretical ability to intercept HGVs. At the moment, existing systems would have a very difficult time even if placed in favorable areas of HGV flight path due mostly to basic geometry and physics of their kinematics.

HGV just represent the "known" top performance of human made flight vehicles. Usually interceptors need much greater flight performance than their targets. Hence why the limits of interceptors have been ballistic missiles in various flight stages only when the supporting systems are up to the job and when interceptors are positioned in the right areas. That's the conventional understanding of why HGVs are "impossible" to intercept. Perhaps modern rocket technologies allow interceptors to have a better chance at HGVs but all of that is based on respective levels of energy and "luck" in positioning.