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Wind Demon

On 26 July 2024 Israel Aerospace Industries, a world-class aerospace and defense leader, unveiled the WIND DEMON, a new generation of air-to-surface cruise missile, combining new capabilities based on years of experience in missiles and loitering munition development. IAI’s newly developed WIND DEMON missile offers a pragmatic response to the changing nature of warfare where affordable mass can deliver lethality. The Wind Demon is designed to be an affordable solution with a low cost-per-hit ratio, making it practical for use in large quantities. This affordability is a significant factor, especially given the rising costs of modern munitions.

The WIND DEMON, unveiled at the Farnborough show in the United Kingdom, offers a novel and compelling capability based on a unique, modularized approach characterized by affordability, adaptability, and advanced capabilities to operate across warfare domains. It was developed following an extensive review that highlighted the need for large quantities of effective ammunition and yet an affordable solution that can neutralize a wide range of targets using minimal resources at greater ranges. The missile’s warhead is adaptable, capable of delivering blast, fragmentation, and penetration effects, making it versatile for different types of targets.

Once fired from an airborne platform – such as a helicopter or patrol aircraft – the WIND DEMON follows a pre-determined mission plan to meet a moving or stationary target at a range exceeding 200km. The missile weighs approximately 140 kilograms. Platforms equipped with the WIND DEMON, wield advanced standoff advantage. The missile is a 'self-guided missile' that also offers 'man in the loop' capabilities. This combination of capabilities allows it to approach the enemy at low altitudes from a distance, launch the missile, and disengage.

The Wind Demon integrates sophisticated guidance systems, including electro-optical seekers with Imaging Infrared (IIR), High Definition Visualization (VIS), and Semi-Active Laser Homing. It also features Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 1 meter, ensuring high precision in target engagement. Equipped with advanced day and night electro-optic and laser homing seekers, WIND DEMON delivers precise target detection, discrimination, and classification with pinpoint accuracy for day and night operations. Its warhead, which exceeds 20kg, is adaptable for blast, fragmentation, and penetration effects. Its low flight profile enhances its survivability by avoiding detection and disruption, in combination with its immune navigation suite.

The missile can fly at low altitudes, which helps it evade detection and interception. It has adjustable speed profiles, allowing operators to choose between rapid response and slow approach tactics depending on mission requirements. It includes enhanced connectivity features that enable real-time video transmission and person-in-the-loop control, providing human oversight during critical mission phases. This makes it adaptable for a variety of tactical scenarios. Enhanced connectivity features enable real-time video transmission, person-in-the-loop control, and low altitude hold throughout the mission. Additionally, its selectable fast/slow/fast speed profile allows for high-speed reactions and selective slow velocity approaches at points of interest.

Guy Barlev, EVP and General Manager of the Systems Missiles & Space Group said: “We see a growing market demand for effective and affordable systems that will offer attacks in mass. We designed WIND DEMON to meet this market demand and it does so by offering significant capabilities at an affordable price point that allows customers to buy the systems in large quantities.”