RAMPAGE MISSILE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Israel recently used the Rampage, an efficient air-to-surface missile, in an attack on an Iranian military base.

Rampage Missile 

• About: It is a long-range, supersonic, air-to-ground, seekerless, precision strike missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Israeli Military Industries Systems.
• Target and Mission: It is designed for use in missions targeting high-quality, well-protected assets such as communication and command centers, air force bases, maintenance centers, and infrastructure.
• Supersonic Speed: It travels at supersonic speeds, making it challenging to identify and intercept with air defense systems.
• Range: The missile has an operational range of over 190 miles.
• Payload Capacity: It can carry 150 kg of explosives, facilitating significant damage upon impact.
• Warhead Type: Equipped with a blast fragmentation or general-purpose warhead.
• Guidance and Navigation: Utilizes GPS/INS guidance navigation and anti-jamming capabilities.
• Mid-flight Adjustment: It can adjust its path mid-flight, ensuring precise targeting of its programmed objective.
• All-Weather Capability: The Rampage Missile is operable in any weather conditions, day or night.