Israel unveils the new ‘SkySonic’ anti-hypersonic missile interceptor

Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said it is working on a new interceptor missile called the SkySonic that is specifically aimed at the hypersonic missile threat.

On June 14, President Yuval Steinitz said that while many define any missile that can fly at speeds above Mach 10 as a “hypersonic” missile, the new threat posed by these missiles is their ability to maneuver and change trajectory.

He said the Sky Sonic missile defense system is “versatile and can hit all hypersonic missiles, fly high or low, and maneuver one way or another.”

#Iran, #Russia and #China working under creation of hypersonic missiles.
the Israeli company announced one of the novelties. The #SkySonic anti-missile complex will be a complex capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles pic.twitter.com/l9qBWSpCGQ

— spy 🇺🇦 (@temafey) June 15, 2023

Rafael plans to display the weapon’s design at the Paris Air Show next week (June 19-25). The SkySonic missile is currently in development and has not yet undergone a live test.

“Designed with exceptional maneuverability and high-speed capabilities, SkySonic effectively neutralizes hypersonic missiles, which travel at ten times the speed of sound, with unparalleled accuracy,” the company said in a statement.

The multi-stage interceptor, which has been developed in secret for several years, uses the Hit-to-Kill system that Rafael uses in its other interceptors. Raphael presented the project to the United States, whose feedback so far has been positive.

The company did not provide the range of its new interceptor missile.

Rafael officials stressed that “hypersonic” threats describe missiles that not only travel quickly, but also include gliding or maneuvering missiles.

The company added, “Developing a comprehensive defense response to hypersonic threats presents many complex challenges, including detection and tracking difficulties that require a synchronized sensor system capable of accurately identifying and locating the threat throughout its trajectory.”