Wow, I did not know that Israel doesn't have cruise missiles.

They do have cruise missiles.

According to these links they have developed there own or are refitting US missles with nuclear tip warheads.

http://www.rense.com/general2/nu.htm

http://www.twf.org/News/Y2000/0704-Nucsub.html

http://www.nti.org/e_research/profil...3571_5220.html

Originally Posted by Mohmar Deathstrike

Wow, I did not know that Israel doesn't have cruise missiles.

Excuse my generality my pedantic friend. In the context mentioned, cruise missiles was meant to imply "air-launched cruise missiles that would be used to launch a stand-off strike".

If you have other data I would be interested in seeing it. I can't comment on what sort of surface or sea-based systems they may have. However, they would not be germane to the argument anyway.

Well, I would suyspect that the Missiles were sold to israel by US?

Originally Posted by zander_0633

Well, I would suyspect that the Missiles were sold to israel by US?

Which missiles? We sell them lots of stuff, but they have an uncanny ability to produce their own weapons as well.

Originally Posted by Insight

"air-launched cruise missiles

Cant the harpoon be air or sea launched?

Well, In general those SAS missiles!

Zander, there is no such thing as an SAS missile. Yes, Israel did produce its own medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs). The original Jericho MRBM was made by modifying a missile that they bought from France, and it was again modified to make the Jericho II. During these development cycles, the range of the Jericho went from 500 Kms to over 1000.
This missile is reaching the end of its service life, so the Israelis have now developed the Shavit system, which is an orbital booster. I hope most of you realize that orbital boosters have other uses...

Dean.

Originally Posted by Rabs

Cant the harpoon be air or sea launched?

Both IIRC correclty, though that was originally designed as an anti shipping weapon. Newer versions exist for land attack targets I believe, though I don't know that the Israelis have them in that version. I'm not entirely sure on that point.

Either way, in light of the original context, use of this weapon (even with the land attack version) would still require penetration of Iranian airspace to target the nuc facilities. The original point suggested that cruise missiles and stealth aircraft would be used in lieu of fighters. The harpoon is relatively short-ranged in that regard and shouldn't be considered a strategic standoff weapon, unlike a CALCM or TLAM.

Do the Israelis have the land attack version? If so, how would they deliver them? I can't find anything authoritative on the topic. I'm curious to see if there is a point to the Harpoon example or is this mere pedantism? I do wish to know as this exceeds my own knowledge base.

The Harpoon is an anti-ship weapon. It is available in three versions, air-launched, surface-launched and sub-launches. Cruise missiles are different beasts altogether. They exist in different versions as well, these being the ALCM, (air-launched) the SLCM, surface-launched from vertical tubes and the submarine version which is also launched from vertical tubes at shallow depth.
The main difference is the guidance system. The Harpoon is radar guided, first by the launching ships' targetting radar or sonar, then going active when it gets to the terminal guidance stage of the flight. Cruise missiles have a ground definition radar which continuously compares the ground below the missile to the recording that was previously uploaded into the missile. Once the missile reaches the target, it does one of two things, depending on the hardness of the target. If it is "soft", the missile noses up vertically until it stalls and then falls to the ground and explodes. The remaining fuel in its tanks adds to the mayhem. (This tactic is generally used against airfields and tank farms.) Against a hard target, the missile dives right in.
AFAIK, the Israelis do not have either ALCMS or SLCMS. But then again, if you look at the strategic picture in which the Israelis find themselves, they don't really need them. They know that cruise missiles can be shot down, and their doctrine is such that if they ever have to light up their missiles, it's because Jerusalem is already burning. In that case, they do NOT want those missiles shot down, because they would be spreading the fire to the country that burned Jerusalem.
However, keep in mind that my info on Israel is somewhat out of date. Also keep in mind that and information on the web about the weapons that Israel has or does not have may be far less than accurate. The Israelis have worked very hard and have been very successful at hiding what they can really do.

Dean.

Yes dean but the Israleis have converted the harpoon into a land attack weapon.

And many think the Israleis have the capabilites to launch from there subs.