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Home / IAS Preparation / Scalp Missile

Scalp Missile: Key Features, Specifications, Working & Cost

Last Updated on May 09, 2025
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The Scalp missile is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile that can hit targets far away from the aircraft that launches it. It is designed to strike important and well-protected targets, even in bad weather conditions. This missile is known for its ability to fly at very low altitudes, making it difficult for enemy radar systems to detect it. Its precision guidance system ensures a high probability of hitting the intended target accurately.

This topic, "Scalp Missile," is highly relevant for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. It primarily falls under the General Studies Paper III, which includes subjects like Science and Technology, Defence and Security, and Current Events of National and International Importance.

Download the UPSC Practice Questions on Scalp Missile for Prelims & Mains!

GS Paper

General Studies Paper III

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Rafale Jets, Ukraine-Russia war, Brahmos Missile

Topics for UPSC Mains

Missile Technology

Why is the Scalp Missile in News?

The Scalp missile has been in the news recently due to its reported use by the Indian Air Force in Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism operation carried out against terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation was a response to a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam. News reports indicate that Rafale fighter jets of the IAF were deployed to launch Scalp missiles for deep strike missions, alongside other precision-guided munitions like HAMMER missiles.

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What is a Scalp Missile?

A Scalp missile is essentially a sophisticated type of bomb that an aircraft can launch to hit targets that are very far away. Unlike regular bombs that simply fall after being dropped, a Scalp missile has its own engine and wings, allowing it to fly a long distance to its target. It's like a pilotless plane that carries explosives.

These missiles are designed to attack important targets like command centers, airfields, and bridges that are located deep within enemy territory. Because they can fly at a very low height, they can often sneak under the radar systems that enemies use to detect incoming threats. This makes them very effective in surprise attacks.

Key Details related to Scalp Missile for UPSC

Feature

Details

Full Name

SCALP EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – Emploi Général)

Also Known As

Storm Shadow (UK variant)

Type

Air-Launched Cruise Missile

Developer

MBDA (European defence company – France & UK)

Operator in India

Indian Air Force (with Dassault Rafale fighter jets)

Range

~250–560 km (export version capped due to MTCR restrictions)

First Inducted by India

2020 (as part of Rafale weapon package)

Countries Using SCALP

France, UK, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India, Ukraine

Read the article on the Missiles of India!

Key Features of Scalp Missiles

Scalp missiles have several important features that make them stand out:

  • Long Range: One of the most significant features is their ability to travel very long distances, often hundreds of kilometers, after being launched from an aircraft. This allows the launching aircraft to stay far away from the danger zone and still strike targets deep inside enemy territory.
  • Low Altitude Flight: These missiles are designed to fly extremely close to the ground. This low-level flight makes it harder for enemy radar systems to detect them because the curvature of the Earth and ground clutter can hide the missile. It’s like trying to spot a small bird flying just above the trees.
  • High Precision: Scalp missiles are equipped with advanced guidance systems. These systems often use a combination of GPS (Global Positioning System), inertial navigation (which uses sensors to track movement), and sometimes even a camera that compares the terrain below with pre-loaded maps to ensure it stays on course and hits the exact target. This makes them very accurate.
  • All-Weather Capability: They are made to work well in any weather, such as rain, fog, and extreme temperatures. This means that they can be put to use whenever and wherever needed, even in bad weather.
  • Hard Target Penetration: Some versions of the Scalp missile are designed to penetrate heavily fortified targets, like bunkers or reinforced buildings. They have a warhead that can dig through layers of protection before exploding.
  • Stealth Features: While not a pure stealth missile like some specialized aircraft, the Scalp missile incorporates some design elements and flight profiles that make it less detectable by radar compared to conventional aircraft or high-flying missiles.

Specifications of Scalp Missiles

The exact specifications of Scalp missiles can vary slightly depending on the version, but some general characteristics include:

Specifications of Scalp Missiles

Feature

Specification

Range

Typically 250-560 km

Speed

High subsonic (around Mach 0.8)

Warhead Weight

Approximately 450 kg

Length

Around 5 meters

Diameter

Roughly 0.5 meters

Launch Platform

Primarily fighter aircraft (e.g., Rafale, Tornado)

Guidance System

INS/GPS + Terrain Following/Imaging Infrared

Read the article on the Agni v & MIRV Technology!

Working of Scalp Cruise Missiles

Scalp cruise missiles work through a combination of advanced technologies that allow them to fly long distances and hit targets with high accuracy. Here’s a simplified breakdown of their operation:

  • Launch: The missile is first attached to a compatible aircraft, like a Rafale. When the pilot decides to attack a target, the missile is launched from the aircraft. It has its own initial boost system to get it away from the plane safely.
  • Powered Flight: Once launched, the missile’s own small jet engine starts. This engine provides the thrust needed for it to fly towards its target. The wings and control surfaces (like small fins) help it to stay stable and maneuver in the air.
  • Navigation: This is where the "smart brain" of the missile comes into play. It uses a sophisticated Inertial Navigation System (INS) which has sensors that detect any movement of the missile. This system keeps track of the missile's position and direction from the moment it is launched. It's like having an internal compass and speedometer.
  • GPS Guidance: To further improve accuracy, the missile also uses the Global Positioning System (GPS). By receiving signals from satellites, it can pinpoint its exact location in the sky and make corrections to its flight path if it starts to drift off course.
  • Terrain Following: To fly at a very low altitude and avoid radar detection, the missile often uses a technique called terrain following. It has a radar altimeter that constantly measures its height above the ground. The missile then adjusts its flight path to stay at a pre-set low altitude, following the contours of the land.
  • Target Acquisition: As the missile gets closer to the target, some versions use an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker. This is like a heat-seeking camera in the nose of the missile. It looks for the heat signature of the target and locks onto it, making final adjustments to ensure a direct hit. Some versions might also use radar or other sensors for this final stage.
  • Impact: Finally, the missile reaches its target and the warhead explodes, causing significant damage. The high precision of the guidance systems ensures that the explosion happens exactly where it is intended.

Read the article on the Air to Air Missiles!

Cost of Scalp Cruise Missiles

The exact cost of a Scalp cruise missile is difficult to pinpoint precisely as it can vary depending on the specific variant, the quantity purchased, and the terms of the procurement contract. However, it is generally understood to be a high-value, expensive piece of military hardware.

Cruise missiles like the Scalp are technologically advanced, incorporating complex navigation, guidance, and stealth features, as well as a powerful engine and a substantial warhead. These factors contribute to their high cost of production.

Estimates from various defence analyses and reports suggest that a single Scalp missile could cost anywhere from $800,000 to $1.5 million USD or even more. This places them in the category of premium precision-guided munitions.

Read the article on the Surface to Surface Missiles!

List of Countries Currently Using the Rafale Scalp Missile

The Scalp missile is primarily integrated with and used by nations that operate the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft. The main countries known to be using the Rafale with the Scalp missile capability include:

List of Countries Currently Using the Rafale Scalp Missile

Country

Missile Used

Aircraft Used

Notes

France

SCALP EG

Dassault Rafale

The original developer and a primary user of both the missile and the aircraft.

United Kingdom

Storm Shadow

Tornado GR4 (retired), Eurofighter Typhoon (integration planned)

Co-developer of the missile (as Storm Shadow); while Tornado GR4 has been retired, integration with Eurofighter Typhoon was intended to continue its operational use.

Italy

Storm Shadow

Tornado IDS (retired)

Has used Storm Shadow on its Tornado IDS aircraft, which are now being retired. Future integration plans with other platforms might exist but require confirmation.

India

SCALP

Dassault Rafale

Operates Rafale aircraft equipped with SCALP missiles, significantly enhancing its long-range strike capabilities.

Egypt

SCALP (likely)

Dassault Rafale

Believed to have acquired Rafale aircraft with Scalp missiles; official confirmation and details of integration may not be fully public.

Qatar

SCALP (likely)

Dassault Rafale

Likely operates Rafale aircraft integrated with Scalp missiles as part of its air force modernization; specific details are often not publicly disclosed.

Ukraine

Storm Shadow/SCALP EG

(Launched from adapted aircraft)

Received Storm Shadow missiles from the UK and SCALP EG missiles from France for use in the conflict with Russia. These have been adapted for launch from their existing aircraft.

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Scalp Missile UPSC FAQs

A Scalp missile is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile designed to strike high-value targets deep within enemy territory with precision.

For Rafale fighters, SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée – meaning Long Range Autonomous Cruise Missile System) is a powerful air-to-ground weapon that extends the aircraft's strike range and allows it to attack heavily defended targets from a safe distance.

India uses a variety of missiles, including surface-to-air missiles like Akash and Trishul, ballistic missiles like Agni and Prithvi, and cruise missiles like BrahMos and Nirbhay, as well as air-to-air missiles like Astra.

Operation Sindoor is not a widely known or officially documented military operation associated with a specific missile. It's possible this is a lesser-known operation or a codename not in common public knowledge. Without more context, it's difficult to provide a specific answer.

One of the notable air-to-air missiles developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the Astra, which is an all-weather, beyond-visual-range active radar homing air-to-air missile.

A cruise missile is powered throughout its flight by an engine and uses wings to generate lift, flying within the Earth's atmosphere to its target. It can also change direction mid-flight. A ballistic missile, on the other hand, is primarily powered during its initial ascent phase and then follows a parabolic trajectory (like a projectile) through space, relying on gravity for most of its journey to the target.

The Scalp missile is primarily designed as an air-launched cruise missile, meaning it is launched from aircraft. While some cruise missiles have ground or naval-launched variants, the Scalp, in its current widely known form, is specifically for air deployment.
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