Gabriel (rocket)

Gabriel
General Information
Type	Anti-ship missile
Manufacturer	IAI , MBT
development	from 1962
Technical specifications
length	3350 mm
diameter	330 mm
Combat weight	430 kg
span	1350 mm
drive	Solid rocket motor
speed	Mach 0.6
Range	20 km
Furnishing
Target location	semi-active radar
Warhead	100 kg
Lists on the subject

The Gabriel is an anti-ship missile that was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and MBT Israel Aircraft Industries (MBT) on behalf of the Israel Defense Forces .

In 1962 the project to develop a new anti-ship missile began. The biggest challenges were the electronics and the target system. The prototypes of the Gabriel were still called "Looz". During the first flight tests the decommissioned frigate INS Misgav was used as a target. When the Gabriel was first introduced to the public in May 1970, it was the world's first anti-ship missile that could be described as a Sea Skimmer . Three years later, during the Yom Kippur War in the Battle of Latakia, she was able to demonstrate her then unique ability in the Israeli Navy. The first Gabriel was basically a surface-to-surface missile deployed by ships . It was equipped with a solid rocket motor that gave it a range of 20 km and a top speed of Mach 0.6. The total weight was 430 kg, with 100 kg being accounted for by the warhead.

Gabriel Mk 2

The Gabriel Mk 2 (or Gabriel II) is a version with an improved range from 20 km to 36 km. It is one centimeter longer (3360 mm) and weighs 520 kg.

Gabriel Mk 3 / AS

The Gabriel Mk3 (or Gabriel III) exists in two versions. The first is ship-based. The second is an air-supported variant, also called Gabriel Mk 3 A / S (Gabriel III A / S), where A / S stands for Air / Surface.

Both missiles have active radar with two modes: Fire and Forget and Fire and Update . In the fire and update mode, the rocket fetches new target information from the launch platform at regular intervals in order to make a course correction if necessary.

The normal Mk3 and the A / S reach a top speed of Mach 0.7 and carry a 150 kg warhead. The diameter of the body is also the same. Otherwise they differ in part. The ship-based version is 30 mm shorter (3750 mm), 30 kg lighter (560 kg) and has a reduced range of 36 km. It has a larger wingspan of 1320 mm.

Technical data Mk 3 A / S

Length: 3780 mm
Span: 1080 mm
Diameter: 330 mm
Weight: 590 kg
Warhead: 150 kg
Range: 60 km

Gabriel Mk 4

The Gabriel Mk 4 (Gabriel IV or Gabriel IVLR) is the long-range version of the Gabriel. In order to give it a range of 200 km, it was equipped with a turbojet . It is heavier and also larger than its predecessor; In addition to a highly explosive warhead, it also carries one with 150 kg submunition .

Technical specifications

Range: 200 km
Weight: 960 kg
Warhead: 240 kg
Length: 4700 mm
Diameter: 440 mm
Span: 1600 mm

Gabriel 5

Since 2007, the fifth generation of the Gabriel has been developed under the project name Advanced Naval Attack Missile . The Gabriel 5 is an improved version of the Gabriel Mk 4. Gabriel 5 uses an improved steering unit with INS and GPS . Different waypoints can be programmed in the navigation system . In addition to sea targets, Gabriel 5 can also be used against land targets. Gabriel 5 was operational in the late 2000s.

Technical specifications