Delilah (missile)

Delilah missile
Type	Cruise missile / loitering munition
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1980s (initial versions, limited use), fully operational 1995-present
Used by	See users
Production history
Manufacturer	Israel Military Industries
Specifications
Weight	187 kilograms (412 lb)
Length	2.71 metres (8 ft 11 in)
Diameter	0.33 metres (1 ft 1 in)
Warhead weight	30 kilograms (66 lb)
Wingspan	1.15 metres (3 ft 9 in)
Operational range	250 kilometres (160 mi)
Flight altitude	28,000 feet (8,500 m)
Speed	Mach 0.3-0.7 (Dive: Mach 0.85)
Guidance system	CCD\IIR with GPS\INS
Accuracy	1 metre (3 ft 3 in) CEP
Launch platform	aircraft, helicopter, ground launcher, sea launcher

The Delilah missile is a cruise missile or loitering munition developed in Israel by Israel Military Industries (IMI). The missile is designed to target moving and re-locatable targets with a circular error probable (CEP) of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). Unlike a typical cruise missile, which is locked onto a pre-programmed target prior to launch, the Delilah missile's unique feature, as claimed by the manufacturer, is being able to loiter and surveil an area before a remote weapon systems officer, usually from the launching fighter aircraft, identifies the specific target of the attack.

The name Delilah had been used by an anti-radiation attack drone configured after the US MQM-74 Chukar aerial target. It entered service in IAF in the mid-1980s. This air-launched drone identifies radar sites, allowing them to be found and destroyed. The Delilah missile is the name of a missile family built by IMI. Delilah was initially created as an aerial decoy, and was later developed into an offensive strike weapon in the 1990s used by Israeli F-16 and upgraded F-4E attack aircraft. It is multi-platform and has multi-target capability. Its uses include Air-to-Surface (AS), Surface-to-Surface (SS), Air-to-Air (AtoA), and Surface-to-Air (SA), targeting ground targets, vehicles and sea vessels, either stationary or moving. It is classed as a Medium Range, Multi-Purpose Guided Missile (MRMPGM), as All-in-One. It was Combat-Proven in Lebanon by Israeli Forces.

The Delilah is an air-launched stand-off missile and cruise missile with a range of 250km. It can be fitted with a variety of warheads which can be targeted on both land and sea targets. It has a turbo jet engine that is able to loiter, allowing it to target well-hidden threats in addition to moving targets. Its maneuverability makes the missile ideal for destroying surface-to-air missile threats. The on-board autopilot and inertial navigation-global positioning navigation systems (INS/GPS) allow the missile to perform its mission autonomously. A data link enables intervention and target validation. The Delilah missile was first used in combat by Israel over Lebanon in July and August 2006 and launched by F-16D fighter aircraft. The missile can be fired from most aircraft, helicopters, or ground launchers. Its compact dimensions allow it to be carried by the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60B helicopters.