Sparrow (target missile)

The Sparrow (אנקור, ) target missile is an Israeli medium-range air-launched ballistic missile produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The missile is currently used as a target missile to test the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system. The missile has a modular warhead section and is capable of carrying a high-explosive warhead.

Versions
There are three versions of the missile: Black Sparrow, Blue Sparrow, and Silver Sparrow. The Silver Sparrow version is designed to simulate Iranian Shahab-3 class ballistic missiles with a 1,500-2,000 km range. The Blue Sparrow has a total length of 6.51 m, weight of 1900 kg and a range of 2000 km on a high ballistic trajectory.

The Rafael ROCKS stand-off range air-to-surface missile uses a Sparrow missile booster.

Operational history
The Silver Sparrow version was first tested on September 2, 2013. The launch from the Mediterranean was detected by a Russian ballistic missile early warning radar at Armavir, followed by Israeli acknowledgement of the test over an hour later.

The Financial Times reported experts identifying the Blue Sparrow, from its booster remnants, as the missile most likely used in the 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran.