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An air-launched ballistic missile designed and produced by Israel.
Blue Sparrow series
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Blue Sparrow series
An air-launched ballistic missile developed and produced by Israel. Originally created as a target missile to test the Arrow series of air defence systems, the Blue Sparrow has been adapted to carry a high explosive warhead. The missile is 6.51 metres in length and includes a separable re-entry vehicle which strikes the target. Many images in the OSMP show the booster section of the missile which falls to the ground after stage separation. The Blue Sparrow series of missiles use both GPS and inertial navigation for guidance, and are believed to have a range of around 2,000 kilometres. The missile was used in Israeli strikes on Iran in 2024.
OSMP871
Rocket or Missile Israel Blue Sparrow series
Analyst Note:
This Blue Sparrow-series air-launched ballistic missile is being carried by an F-15C fighter aircraft from 106 Squadron Israeli Air Force. The missile is marked with the logos of three organisations involved in its development—the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the Directorate of Defence Research & Development, and the Israel Missile Defense Organization—and the Blue Sparrow programme logo of the manufacturer (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems). The booster section also features bright-orange fins and markings consistent with its use as a target missile, here modified to accept a high explosive warhead. (ARES)
OSMP823
Rocket or Missile Iraq Blue Sparrow series
Analyst Note:
The Blue Sparrow is one of a series of three of air-launched missiles originally designed by Rafael as targets to test ballistic missile defence systems. Blue Sparrow missiles can be fitted with either inert or high explosive (HE) warheads. The recovery of Sparrow-series boosters following a reported Israeli strike on an Iranian air-defence system could suggest that a derivative variant of the Blue Sparrow missile was further developed for engaging surface targets. (ARES)