Golden Horizon ALBM
Golden Horizon [He = Ofek Zahav] is not a publicly known system, or it could be the designation for a known system. In 1996 Raphael's team was awarded the Eliyahu Golomb Israel Security Award for Development of a communication pod for the "Golden Spear" air-to-ground missile [which is not otherwise attested]. Golden Horizon may refer to a missile from the Sparrow series used as targets for defense systems, but capable of offensive use. The Silver Sparrow missile is 8.3 meters long with a range of 2,000 kilometers and a pre-launch weight of 3,100 kilograms. Designed to simulate Iranian Shahab-3 class ballistic missiles with a 1,500-2,000 km range, after launch, it behaves like a ballistic missile, ascending to high altitudes before striking its target. Unlike Israel’s F-15-launched single-stage Black and Blue Sparrows used to test existing Arrow-2 interceptors, the larger Silver Sparrow target is planned for launch from C-130 military transport aircraft. The derivavtive Golden Horizon ALBM could be launched from an F-15I.
It is not immediately apparent why Israel would seek an ALBM that could be launched against Iran from inside Israeli airspace. Possibly the missile has a heavy warhead, several times the mass of the one-ton warheads commonly seen on such missiles. An earth-penetrating warhead is a type of munition specifically designed to penetrate hardened or underground targets, such as bunkers, command centers, or missile silos, before detonating. These warheads are often referred to as "bunker busters" and are engineered to pierce through layers of soil, rock, concrete, or other materials before releasing their explosive payload.
The key features of earth-penetrating warheads include a robust casing made from high-density materials like hardened steel, which allows the warhead to withstand the impact of penetrating the ground or reinforced structures without disintegrating. These warheads often incorporate a delayed fuse, allowing the munition to explode after penetrating to a desired depth, maximizing damage to underground facilities. Some of these warheads are equipped with large explosive charges to cause significant damage once they reach their target. Modern examples of earth-penetrating warheads include the 2,500 kg GBU-28 "Bunker Buster," which was used in conflicts such as the Gulf War. These weapons are critical in modern warfare for neutralizing deeply buried strategic assets and command centers.
The "Middle East Spectator" claims to be "an open-source news aggregator by independent journalists, not tied to any government entity or organization". The Telegram channel in question mainly publishes pro-Iranian propaganda content, and the profile of the Twitter account operated by that Telegram channel explicitly states that its operators are located in Iran. On 18 October 2024 at approximately 01:15 AM Tehran time, an acquaintance received, through an anonymous source on Telegram who refused to identify himself, two highly classified U.S. intelligence documents, regarding preparations by the Zionist regime for an attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
One document, attributed to NGA and dated 15 October 2024, reported The IAF has handled at least 16 Golden Horizon ALBMs and at least 40 IS02 (Rocks) ALBMs since 8 October, according to imagery analysis. The IAF continued ALBM handing at Hatserim Airfield on 15 October 2004. The IAF placed concealment screens over six F-15I hardened aircraft shelter (HAS) entrances on an alert apron on 16 October, which indicated ALBM handling occurred in the HAS area. We cannot differentiate if this activity is related to IS02 (Rocks) or Golden Horizon ALBMs: however, three possible Golden Horizon ALBM-associated dollies arrived in a separated HAS adjacent to the F-15I alert HAS complex. We did not observe increased personnel at the ALBM handling area at Hatserim Airfield on 16 October. Another document, attributed to NSA and dated 16 October 2024, reported "The Israeli Air Force (IAF) continued long-range air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) handling on 16 October. The IAF has handled at least 16 Golden Horizon ALBMs and at least 40 1502 Rocks since 8 October, according to imagery analysis."
Israel has developed several air-launched ballistic missiles in recent years as a growing market for these relatively cheap but effective long-range, deep-strike weapons has emerged. Israeli Sparrow is a medium-range ALBM used as a target missile to test the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system. The Israeli Air Lora is a new ALBM designed to provide long-range strike at rapid speed. ALBMs are a relatively new technology for Israel, and their development is still ongoing. However, they have the potential to significantly change the nature of warfare by providing a highly effective means of delivering conventional or nuclear payloads over long distances.
Air launch capability allows the launch of target missiles from fighter or cargo aircraft positioned anywhere in the world, and at any azimuth/orbit inclination to simulate a target with mobile launch capability. This capability allows target missiles to mimic a variety of realistic threat scenarios to thoroughly test missile defense technologies.
An air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) is a ballistic missile that is launched from a military aircraft. This technology offers several advantages. ALBMs combine the speed and trajectory of ballistic missiles with the flexibility of air launch platforms, enabling rapid deployment and longer-range capability due to being launched from an airborne platform rather than a ground-based one. This type of missile combines the advantages of ballistic missiles, with their high speed and ability to penetrate defenses, with the flexibility of aircraft, which can be deployed quickly to different locations and launch from a variety of altitudes and ranges.
ALBMs are typically carried by strategic bombers or fighter aircraft, which give the missile a higher initial altitude and velocity at launch compared to traditional ground-launched ballistic missiles. After being released from the aircraft, the missile follows a ballistic trajectory, meaning its flight is determined primarily by gravity and air resistance after the boost phase. Due to their ballistic trajectory, ALBMs travel at high speeds, often reaching hypersonic velocities. The range of an ALBM can vary depending on the missile's size and payload, but air-launching the missile can extend its effective range by allowing the aircraft to approach closer to the target before launch.
These missiles are designed for strategic and tactical strikes, capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. Their primary advantage is the increased flexibility and mobility of the launch platform, making it harder for adversaries to predict and counter the attack. The United States experimented with the GAM-87 Skybolt for the B-52 bomber during the Cold War, an early concept of ALBM, though it was ultimately canceled. More recently, Russia has developed the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, ahypersonic ALBM with a range of approximately 480 kilometers, which is considered an air-launched ballistic missile due to its ballistic flight path after being launched from a MiG-31 fighter.
China is developing two new ALBMs- DF-21 and DF-17 - one of which can carry a nuclear warhead. The H-6K bomber would be suited to launch such missiles. The DF-21D is a Chinese ALBM with a range of around 1,500 kilometers.
The aircraft can launch the missile from a safe distance, reducing the risk of being targeted by enemy defenses. The missile can achieve a longer range compared to ground-based ballistic missiles due to the additional speed and altitude provided by the aircraft. ALBMs can be deployed from various aircraft platforms, including bombers, fighters, and even drones. The development and deployment of ALBMs have raised concerns about their potential use in nuclear warfare and their impact on strategic stability. These missiles can pose a significant threat due to their speed, accuracy, and the difficulty of intercepting them.
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