| Country: |
Israel |
| Alternate Name: |
YA-4 |
| Class: |
IRBM |
| Basing: |
Road mobile |
| Length: |
15.50 m |
| Diameter: |
1.56 m |
| Launch Weight: |
29000 kg |
| Payload: |
1000 to 1300 kg |
| Warhead: |
750 kg Nuclear; possible MIRV |
| Propulsion: |
3-stage solid |
| Range: |
4800-6500 km |
| Status: |
Development |
| In Service: |
Exp. 2008 (?) |
Details
The Jericho 3 is currently in development. It is believed to have a two or three-stage solid propellant ballistic missile with a payload of 1,000 to 1,300 kg. It is possible for the missile to be equipped with a single 750 kg nuclear warhead or two or three low yield MIRV warheads. It has an estimated launch weight of 29,000 kg and a length of 15.5 m with a width of 1.56 m. It likely is similar to an upgraded Shavit space launch vehicle, though it will probably have longer first and second-stage motors. It is estimated that it will have a range of 4,800 to 6,500 km (2,982 to 4,038 miles). It is believed that the Jericho 3 uses inertial guidance with a radar guided warhead. The missile will probably be silo-based with mobile vehicle and railcar capabilities
The Jericho 3 will give Israel nuclear strike capabilities within the entire Middle East. In the advent of another Israeli-Arab war, the Jericho 3 will provide a deterrent against a possible nuclear attack. It will also provide Israel a last option to prevent being overrun and will likely secure U.S. military aid, as the U.S. government will have a strong desire to advert a nuclear war in the region. The range of the Jericho 3 also provides an extremely high impact speed for nearby targets, enabling it to avoid any Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) defenses that may develop in the immediate region.
Reports suggest that the Jericho 3 missile was first tested in January 2008 with a subsequent motor test in February 2008. Though originally estimated to be in service by the end of 2008, its current status is unknown.(1)
Footnotes
- Jane’s Strategic Weapons Systems, Issue 50, ed. Duncan Lennox, (Surrey: Jane’s Information Group, January 2009), 85-6.
Israel Tests Ballistic Missile
January 17, 2008 :: Ha'aretz :: News
Israel today announced the successful test launch of a ballistic missile capable of carrying an "unconventional" warhead, presumably nuclear. The missile was launched from the Palmachim military base near Jerusalem, where some 90 Jericho II missiles are believed to be stationed, according to Jane's Strategic Weapons Systems. The identity of the missile was not released. The Israeli Defense Force's brief press release on the test only described it as a "two-stage" missile. The purpose of the test was described as "testing missile propulsion." Israel has been believed to have had for several years the Jericho II missile with a range of 1500 km, and to be developing a Jericho III missile with a possible range between 4,800 and 6,500 km. The Jericho III was at one time expected to be in service by 2008, but has also been previously reported as having three stages. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Testing - Foreign, Israel
» Missile details: Jericho 2, Jericho 3
