Rafael Advanced Defence Systems has unveiled a new, advanced stand-off high-speed air-to-surface missile (ASM) at the Aero India Air Show in Bengaluru, India, this week. Dubbed simply “Rocks,” the ASM can be armed with a penetration warhead or blast explosive warhead depending on whether targets are beneath the surface or above ground. The weight class of the warhead has not been disclosed. 'Rocks', the new missile is furnished with a single-stage solid rocket motor developed by Rafael, GPS/inertial navigation system (INS) guidance for midcourse navigation, and an electro-optical (EO)/imaging infrared (IR) seeker assembly for terminal homing. The missile uses its INS/GPS for mid-course navigation while homing on to the target is performed by using its EO seeker and advanced image processing algorithms, which ensures hitting targets with precision, overcoming GPS jamming or denial. “Rocks” is an advanced, extended stand-off range air-to-surface missile, which may be used against high value targets, stationary and re-locatable, even in theatres where the enemy employs effective GPS countermeasures. “We received the export license recently, and are thinking of selling the newly-unveiled Rocks missile to India. The intention is there,” Samir Advani, Director Strategic Business Development, Rafael, said Thursday. Details about the customers who will fire Rocks have not been unveiled, and the weapon's weight also remains undisclosed.
