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Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Popeye
A television- and imaging-infrared-guided air-to-surface standoff missile developed for precision strikes on hardened or high-value targets. It was co-produced with the United States as the AGM-142 Have Nap and has been adapted into submarine-launched cruise missile variants.
In service since 1985 · 3 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
78
km range
340
kg warhead
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Limited · 3 operators
In service since 1985. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
- Range
Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.
- 78 km Stronger than 34% of missiles
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
- Warhead
Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range.
- 340 kg Stronger than 64% of missiles
- Warhead type
Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.
- Penetration/blast-fragmentation
- Guidance
How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.
- Television, Imaging infrared, Datalink
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
- Length
Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.
- 4.83 m
- Combat weight
Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.
- 1,360 kg
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
- Propulsion type
Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…
- Solid-fuel rocket
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
- Operator countries
Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.
- 3 Stronger than 39% of missiles
Specifications compiled from public Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye has a maximum range of 78 km.
How much does the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye weigh? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye has a combat weight of 1,360 kg.
What is the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye used for? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye is a missile typically used for deep strike.
How many countries operate the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye? +
The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Popeye is operated by 3 countries.