The Israel Defense Force (IDF) recently made a social media slip-up, posting a photo on Twitter that showed a mysterious version of the Hellfire air-to-ground missile with a red stripe painted around its body. The photo, which depicted an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, was quickly deleted and replaced with a similar photo showing a different helicopter with standard-looking Hellfire missiles. The red band on the missile suggests it may be an incendiary type, possibly the AGM-114N version of the Hellfire with a thermobaric warhead. This type of warhead is ideal for destroying enclosed targets like those found in Gaza, where the IDF has been conducting operations. The red band could also indicate an Israeli-modified version of the missile, specifically designed for operations in the region. The IDF has a history of adapting weapons to suit its needs. Additionally, the IDF has been known to use air-launched munitions for “roof knocking” missions, where non-explosive or low-yield devices are dropped on the roofs of targeted civilian homes to warn inhabitants of an imminent airstrike. It is possible that the red-banded missile is used for this purpose, as there have been reports of U.S. pressure on Israel to use smaller and less destructive munitions to reduce collateral damage. However, the exact nature and purpose of the red-banded Hellfire missile remains a mystery.
Mysterious Hellfire Missile Spotted on Israeli AH-64 Apache – Unveiling a Surprising Weaponry Upgrade
