Crystal Maze 2

Crystal Maze 2

Context: The test firing of the Crystal Maze 2 missile was successfully conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

About:

• Crystal Maze 2, also known as ROCKS, is an air launched medium-range ballistic missile sourced from Israel.
• It is engineered to engage high-value stationary and relocatable assets like long-range radars and air defense systems belonging to potential adversaries.
• The missile distinguishes itself from its predecessor, Crystal Maze 1, previously inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Israel, with enhanced stand-off range capabilities as an air-to-surface missile.
• ROCKS has a reach of over 250 kilometers and can be equipped with either a penetration or blast fragmentation     warhead, suitable for targeting above-ground or well-protected underground assets.
• It excels in GPS-denied environments, ensuring effective operation even when satellite navigation is unavailable.
• The deployment strategy involves launching the missile outside heavily defended areas, followed by a high velocity trajectory to minimize risks to both aircraft and missiles.
• Ballistic missiles are initially powered by rockets in stages but then follow an unpowered trajectory that
arcs upwards before descending towards the intended target.
• They can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads, representing a significant class of missiles
designed for long-range precision strikes.