The 'Federation of American Scientists' revealed back in 2002 that a missile of 6.5 meters in length had been successfully tested off the coast of Sri Lanka. The tested missile could reach a range of 1500 km and was capable of carrying a nuclear plutonium based warhead weighing 200 Kg. The test was conducted in the presence of American observers. The U.S. has since purchased 200 missiles of this kind from Israel for installation on heavy bombers like the B-52.
The Israeli cruise missile 'Popeye Turbo' designed as a Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) is a stretched and advanced model of the "Popeye" Israeli air missile designed for bomber planes. According to a report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in 2002 an experiment was conducted in which an early model of the missile was launched from a Dolphin submarine in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka. The test was viewed at the time by members of the U.S. Navy's intelligence. According to the report the missile was capable of reaching a range of 1,500 km and could carry a nuclear powered plutonium based warhead, weighing 200 Kg.
The Turbo SLCM cruise-missile uses a jet engine powered by liquid fuel. The missile's length is 6.25 meters and its diameter is about 52 cm. According to what was reported by the FAS about the Sri Lanka test – the missile hit the target 1500 km from the launch pad. It is estimated that the cruise missile is the main weapon for Israel's 'second strike' ability, launched from submarines.
The story behind the development of this missile and its unique properties opened the gates for Israel into the U.S. market, which went on to acquire more than 200 cruise missiles of the latest model. That acquisition testified more than anything else about the extraordinary technological capabilities of scientists in Israel.
The Birth of the initial model of the missile (called 'Hamudon or Cutey') was an operational necessity. During the War of Attrition ("Hahatasha"), in 1969, four Israeli Air Force aircraft were shot down by Egyptian anti-aircraft batteries in one day. As a result, a former Air Force commander pushed for the development of a TV-driven, remote, air-to-ground missile that could hit and wipe out hostile anti-aircraft batteries.
read more at i-hls.com
The Israeli cruise missile 'Popeye Turbo' designed as a Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) is a stretched and advanced model of the "Popeye" Israeli air missile designed for bomber planes. According to a report by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) in 2002 an experiment was conducted in which an early model of the missile was launched from a Dolphin submarine in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka. The test was viewed at the time by members of the U.S. Navy's intelligence. According to the report the missile was capable of reaching a range of 1,500 km and could carry a nuclear powered plutonium based warhead, weighing 200 Kg.
The Turbo SLCM cruise-missile uses a jet engine powered by liquid fuel. The missile's length is 6.25 meters and its diameter is about 52 cm. According to what was reported by the FAS about the Sri Lanka test – the missile hit the target 1500 km from the launch pad. It is estimated that the cruise missile is the main weapon for Israel's 'second strike' ability, launched from submarines.
The story behind the development of this missile and its unique properties opened the gates for Israel into the U.S. market, which went on to acquire more than 200 cruise missiles of the latest model. That acquisition testified more than anything else about the extraordinary technological capabilities of scientists in Israel.
The Birth of the initial model of the missile (called 'Hamudon or Cutey') was an operational necessity. During the War of Attrition ("Hahatasha"), in 1969, four Israeli Air Force aircraft were shot down by Egyptian anti-aircraft batteries in one day. As a result, a former Air Force commander pushed for the development of a TV-driven, remote, air-to-ground missile that could hit and wipe out hostile anti-aircraft batteries.
read more at i-hls.com
