Rafael unveils Super Ice cruise missile with 1,000-pound warhead
3 min read
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is introducing its latest generation of its famous cruise missiles, the Super Ice, intended to complement its existing Ice Breaker and Sea Breaker missiles. While key information is withheld, it appears to be in the same class as the JASSM-ER and Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles.
Rafael unveils new long-range Super Ice cruise missile
Israel’s Rafael defence contractor has unveiled its new Super Ice long-range cruise missile. It comes with a 1,000-pound warhead (MK83 compatible) and is supported by platforms across the air, land, and sea domains.
MK83 compatible appears to indicate the missile can be launched from platforms that use the MK83 bomb (F-15s, F-16s, Tornados, Typhoons, etc.). Rafael has not specifically said it is integrating it with those platforms.
Super Ice is intended for long-range stand-off strikes against high-value targets, such as air defence systems. Chairman of Rafael, Prof. Yuval Steinitz, called it the “best cruise missile of its kind in the world.”
Introducing SUPER ICE™️. A new generation of long-range precision strike. Building on RAFAEL’s decades of experience in cruise missile development, SUPER ICE™️ expands the ICE BREAKER™️ family with a powerful 1,000-pound warhead and the ability to launch from air, land and sea. But there’s more to SUPER ICE™️ than greater striking power. The new missile builds on the family’s proven technological foundation, maintaining compatibility with existing launch systems, mission-planning and logistics infrastructure. For customers, that means greater operational flexibility, a broader range of capabilities and more efficient use of existing resources. The latest milestone in RAFAEL’s cruise missile legacy, dating back to POPEYE. #RAFAEL #SUPERICE #ICEBREAKER
— Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (@RAFAELdefense) November 11, 2026
Features include autonomous navigation, low-altitude terrain following, all-weather operation, and high precision against diverse targets. Its electro-optical guidance system allows for high-accuracy image-matching.
One critical piece of performance information lacking in the news release is range, beyond being termed “long-range.” Its cost is also not disclosed.
Acknowledging that range can’t be compared, its closest air-launched counterparts appear to be the AGM-158 JASSM-ER and the German Taurus KEPD 350.
In terms of launch flexibility and warhead class, the American Tomahawk appears somewhat comparable.
Adds to Rafael’s growing cruise missile portfolio
Super Ice adds to Rafael’s growing portfolio of long-range precision-guided cruise missiles that includes Ice Breaker and Sea Breaker
Ice Breaker is a “fifth-generation cruise missile characterized by its extended range and exceptional accuracy, serving customers worldwide.”
Super Ice expands the stand-off strike capabilities of the Ice Breaker, expanding “stand-off strike capabilities and provides greater striking power.” It remains compatible with the Ice Breaker’s launch systems, logistics, and mission-planning infrastructure.
The expanding family of missiles built on Rafael’s original Popeye missile family helps strengthen Rafael as a global leader in cruise missile development.
Rafael’s news release makes repeated reference to its ‘customers,’ suggesting it has plans to sell the missile to countries beyond Israel.
Meeting a burgeoning demand for cruise missiles
The wars in the Middle East (particularly with Iran), the Ukraine War, Sino-American competition, and the deterioration of security in much of the world have had the effect of using up cruise missile stocks while also increasing stockpile demand for them.
Countries around the world are racing to fill their stockpiles while also developing more affordable next-generation replacements. Ukraine is developing its own series of cruise and ballistic missiles.
The UK and France have put the Storm Shadow missile back into production, while the UK is developing new cruise missiles with Germany and France.
Startups, like Covenant and Anduril, are developing newer, more affordable designs. Legacy companies are ramping up production and introducing more affordable variants.
In 2024, Rafael secured orders for $1 billion in missiles. It has also emerged as a leading air defence company, especially in times when US contractors are facing enormous backlogs.
Germany has purchased and installed the high-end exo-atmospheric Arrow 3 air defence system. Greece has recently signed an agreement for other lower-tier ‘Achilles Shield’ air defence systems. Rafael is one of the key Israeli contractors in these systems.
