The Israeli aerospace and defense company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented the Wind Demon, a new generation of air-to-ground cruise missiles, at the Farnborough Airshow. The missile combines years of experience in the development of missiles and loitering munitions. According to IAI, Wind Demon is “a pragmatic response to the changing nature of warfare”.
Wind Demon is based on a modularized approach characterized by affordability, adaptability and flexibility. The development of the missile was preceded by in-house testing, the results of which highlighted the need for large quantities of effective munitions and an affordable solution that can neutralize a wide range of targets at greater distances with minimal resources.
As soon as the Wind Demon is fired from an airborne platform – such as a helicopter or patrol aircraft – it follows a predetermined mission plan to hit a moving or stationary target at a distance of more than 200 kilometers. The missile is therefore a self-guided missile, but also has “man-in-the-loop” capabilities. The long range makes it possible to approach the enemy at low altitude from a distance, launch the missile and then move away again.
Guy Barlev, EVP and General Manager of the Systems Missiles & Space Group at IAI, said: “We see a growing market demand for effective and affordable systems that enable massed attacks. We have developed Wind Demon to meet this market demand by offering significant capabilities at an affordable price that allows customers to buy the systems in volume.”
The missile is equipped with electro-optical day and night vision devices and a laser homing device for precise target detection, discrimination and classification. The warhead weighs more than 20 kilograms and can be adapted for blast, fragmentation and penetration effects. Its low flight profile improves survivability as it avoids detection and jamming in combination with its safe navigation system.
In addition, enhanced connectivity features enable real-time video transmission, man-in-the-loop control and low-altitude hold throughout the mission. Furthermore, the selectable speed profile enables high-speed responses and selective slow approaches to targets.
