In a nighttime strike on April 18, 2024, Israel deployed a locally developed air-to-ground missile, the “Rampage,” to target an Iranian military base near Isfahan, according to a Hebrew media report cited by the Times of Israel. This 4.7-meter missile, capable of supersonic speeds, is difficult to detect and intercept by air defense systems, including robust Russian systems.
The strike was in response to a significant Iranian attack on Israel the previous week, which involved approximately 300 unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles targeting the Jewish state. Satellite images captured post-strike show the extensive damage at the Iranian base, highlighting the strike’s precision and Israel’s capability to bypass and neutralize Iranian defensive measures.
Developed by Israeli Military Industries Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the “Rampage” was introduced in 2018. Designed to penetrate and destroy well-defended sites such as bunkers, its stealth features minimize radar detection, making it highly effective against advanced air defense systems.
The Rampage is a long-range precision strike weapon suitable for all-weather operations and high-survival scenarios. It operates autonomously, with fire-and-forget capabilities, and can carry up to four missiles per aircraft. Its technical specifications include a blast fragmentation or general-purpose warhead with a 10-meter Circular Error Probable accuracy and an impact velocity of 350-550 meters per second. The missile supports integration with various aircraft, either standalone or through an avionic system, and facilitates video transmission via an RS-170 interface and wireless communication.
Typical targets for the Rampage include air force bases, control towers, ammunition depots, bunkers, air defense assets, logistics centers, communication infrastructure, and command posts. With a weight of approximately 570 kg, a length of 4.7 meters, and a diameter of 306 mm, the Rampage offers a cost-effective solution for precision long-range strikes.