| Popeye | |
|---|---|
 The "Popeye" standoff missile | |
| Type | Air-to-surface missile SLCM |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1985–present |
| Used by | SeeOperators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rafael Advanced Defense Systems |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,360 kg (3,000 lb) |
| Length | 4.82 m (15 ft 10 in) |
| Diameter | 533 mm (21.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 198 cm (78 in) |
| Warhead | 340 kg (750 lb) blast fragmentation or 360 kg (790 lb) I-800 penetrating |
| Engine | Single-stageSolid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 78 km (48 miles) |
Guidance system | Inertial plusIIR or TV |
Launch platform | Fixed-wing aircraft, Dolphin class submarine (Popeye Turbo SLCM) |
ThePopeye (Hebrew: פופאי) is a family ofair-to-surface missiles developed and in use by Israel, of which several types have been developed for Israeli and export users. A long-rangesubmarine-launched cruise missile variant of the Popeye Turbo has been speculated as being employed in Israel's submarine-based nuclear forces.[1] The United States operated the Popeye under a different designation according to US naming conventions as theAGM-142 Have Nap.
The Popeye is designed for precision attack against large targets fromstand off ranges. The standard Popeye and smaller Popeye-Lite are powered by a single-stagesolid rocket. Rafael offered a Popeye Turbo air launched variant featuring a jet engine and folding wings for a UK competition specifying a cruise missile with range of at least 320 km (200 mi) in 1994; publicly exposing a lowest possible maximum range for that variant.[2][page needed] Aninertial guidance system pilots the missile towards the target; for terminal homing the pilot can control the missile directly via an INS anddata link, aiming via either atelevision or imaging infrared seeker depending on the missile model. It is not necessary for the launching aircraft to direct the missile—control can be passed to another platform while the firing aircraft escapes the area. There are two choices of warhead for the export versions, a 340 kg (750 lb) blast/fragmentation or 360 kg (790 lb) penetrator.
The alleged Israelisubmarine-launched cruise missile variant is reported to be jet powered and nuclear armed with a greatly increased range, though according to theFederation of American Scientists "open literature provides little information on this system" but in a May 2000 test launch was tracked for 1,500 km (930 mi).[1]
The Popeye Turbo SLCM is a reportedly stretched version of the Popeye Turbo developed for use as asubmarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM), which was widely reported—in a US Navy-observed 2002 test in the Indian Ocean—to have hit a target 1,500 km (930 mi) away. It is reasonable to assume that the weapon's range has been extended to the point where it can launch against Tehran and even more Iranian cities from a relatively safe location.[10] It can allegedly carry a 200 kilotonnuclear warhead.[10] It is believed that the stretched Popeye Turbo is the primarystrategic second strikenuclear deterrent weapon that can be fired from the 650 mm (26 in) secondary torpedo tubes of the IsraeliDolphin-class submarines.[1] It is believed that the SLCM version of the Popeye was developed by Israel after the US Clinton administration refused an Israeli request in 2000 to purchaseTomahawk long rangeSLCM because of internationalMTCR proliferation rules.[11] While the standard Popeye is 533 mm (21.0 in) theDolphin class submarines have four 650 mm (26 in) torpedo tubes in addition to the six standard 533 mm (21.0 in) tubes allowing for the possibility that a SLCM Popeye derivative may be a larger diameter.[12]
The Popeye is compatible with a variety of aircraft from tactical fighters to heavy bombers.[13]
Since their inception, the missiles have gone through a variety of improvement programs designed to increase reliability and reduce costs. These efforts have included changes in the materials and manufacturing processes of the wings, fins and rocket motor, new components in the inertial guidance unit, an upgraded processor, and an improved imaging infrared seeker.
Israel is thought to be using the airframe and avionics to produce a long-range submarine-launched cruise missile with a liquid-fueled jet engine similar to the Popeye Turbo rather than a rocket.[14]
In US use, the Popeye designated as the AGM-142 Have Nap is intended primarily to equip theB-52H, allowing it to attack fixed targets of high value at sufficient range to provide protection from defences. The missile represented the first precision guided munition to be carried by the B-52H.
The LondonSunday Times newspaper reported that on 5 July 2013, Israeli Dolphin submarines fired long-range cruise missiles at stores of Russian-madeP-800 Oniks anti-ship missiles kept at the Syrian port ofLatakia, contradicting an earlier CNN report it had been an air strike.[15] Israel also deploys sub-Harpoon missiles capable of land attack on its Dolphin class submarines.[16]
In the afternoon of 7 December 2014, two formations composed by two Israeli Air ForceF-15Is each, fired Popeye missiles against two separate target sites in Syria. Syrian air defenseBuk-M2 missile batteries fired two missiles at the incoming attack planes, both werejammed and twoPechora 2M missiles were hastily launched at the four incoming Popeye missiles, shooting one down.[17][unreliable source?]
In the early hours of 30 November 2016, Israeli planes launched air-to-surface Popeye missiles from Lebanese airspace at targets at Sabboura, north-east of Damascus.[18]
In 19 December 2024, the IAF conductedairstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen targeting ports and energy infrastructure atSanaa. Popeye missiles were carried on F-15s while the newerRampage missiles were carried on F-16s.[19]
First developed for use by theIsraeli Air Force, it has been in service since 1985.
The United States Air Force first bought a batch of 154 missiles in 1989 followed by a second batch of 54 missiles in 1996.
TheRoyal Australian Air Force purchased a number of Popeye missiles in the late 1990s for use by the RAAF'sF-111 bombers. The F-111 was taken out of Australian service in 2010.[20] It proved difficult to integrate the missiles onto the F-111s and costs were much higher than expected.[21]
Currently, theTurkish Air Force'sF-4 2020 Terminator aircraft (which were extensively upgraded byIAI) and the TuAF F-16 CCIP are armed with a Turkish License production version of the Popeye.
In May 1997, Israel and Turkey signed an agreement valued in excess ofUS$500 million for the establishment of a joint-venture between Israel's Rafael and Turkey'sTurkish Aerospace Industries for the co-production of Popeye I and Popeye II missiles in Turkey.[13]
There have been reports that Israel has exported Popeye and its variants to various countries:[22][23]
Australia:Royal Australian Air Force
India: 30 forIndian Air Force
Israel:Israeli Air Force,Israeli Navy
South Korea:Republic of Korea Air Force (retired in 2024)
Turkey:Turkish Air Force
United States:United States Air Force (retired in 2004)
Military equipment produced byRafael Advanced Defense Systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Missiles, rockets, and projectiles |  | |
| Remote weapon stations | ||
| Air-defense systems | ||
| Surface vehicles | ||
| Electronic Warfare | ||
| Miscellaneous | ||
1 Joint venture withIAI.2 Joint venture withDSTA.3 Joint venture withRaytheon.4 Joint venture withHatehof.5 Joint venture withNorthrop Grumman. | ||