Artillery

Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket

Also known as
  • CARPET
  • Rafael Carpet
  • Carpet mine-clearing system

CARPET is Rafael's fuel-air mine-clearing rocket system for armored combat-engineering vehicles, firing 265 mm rockets to open rapid breaching lanes through mines and explosive obstacles. Open sources describe Israeli operational use in the 2006 Lebanon War, the 2014 Gaza War, and Gaza operations during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket, Fuel-air mine-clearing rocket system, Artillery
Image source: Wikimedia Commons CARPET Puma photo

Role in Conflicts

2006 Lebanon War
Mobility & Logistics
Side
Israel

IsraelDefense describes the 2006 Lebanon War as CARPET's first operational use, with Israeli Combat Engineering Corps vehicles using the system for explosive-area clearance and attacks on Hezbollah positions and vehicles.

2014 Gaza War
Mobility & Logistics
Side
Israel

IsraelDefense reports that CARPET was used during Operation Protective Edge, the 2014 Gaza War, alongside the older Tzefa Shiryon mine-clearing line charge.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Fuel-air mine-clearing rocket system
Service note
2000s-present
Designer
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Designed
2000s
Unit cost
Not publicly reported
Produced
2000s-present

Specifications

Launcher loadout
Up to 20 x 265 mm rockets
Clearance effect
Opens a path about 100 meters long and 6-8 meters wide
Operating range
Fired from about 65 to 165 meters from the minefield edge
Launcher weight
About 3.5 tons fully loaded
Operation
Automatic, semi-automatic, or manual from inside the vehicle
Reloading
Launcher can be reloaded in field conditions
System Notes

CARPET is easiest to understand as a mounted breaching kit rather than a standalone battlefield rocket. The public record describes it as a fuel-air mine-clearing system designed to open a fast lane through minefields and improvised hazards.

PointSource-backed detail
Launcher packageDefense Update and IsraelDefense describe a launcher carrying up to 20 rockets of 265 mm caliber, operated from within an armored vehicle.
Breaching effectIsraelDefense describes a rocket barrage creating a cleared passage about 100 meters long and 6-8 meters wide; Defense Update gives a stand-off range of about 65 to 165 meters.
Carrier vehiclesIsraelDefense describes Puma- and Namer-designated Combat Engineering Corps vehicles carrying CARPET, and Army Recognition reported a Puma-mounted system in Gaza in November 2023.
Operational recordIsraelDefense identifies use in the 2006 Lebanon War, Operation Protective Edge in 2014, and Gaza operations during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

Source labels used here: Defense Update CARPET system, IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza, and Army Recognition Carpet in Gaza.

Variants

Open sources describe CARPET mainly as a launcher kit mounted on Israeli combat-engineering vehicles rather than as a family of separately named rocket variants.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Puma-mounted configurationTracked engineer-vehicle installation

Army Recognition reported Puma armored engineering vehicles fitted with CARPET in Gaza, and IsraelDefense describes CARPET as mounted on Puma-designated Combat Engineering Corps vehicles.

Sources: Army Recognition Carpet in Gaza, IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza

Namer-mounted configurationHeavy armored combat-engineering installation

IsraelDefense reports that CARPET is assembled on Namer-designated Combat Engineering Corps vehicles as well as Puma vehicles.

Sources: IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza

Towed launcher configurationVariant
APC-mounted configurationVariant
Mounted Platforms

The open record treats CARPET as an armored-vehicle breaching kit for Israeli combat-engineering vehicles, with Puma use documented in Gaza and Namer carriage described by IsraelDefense.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Puma armored engineering vehicle, Combat engineering vehicle, Armored VehiclesPuma armored engineering vehicleTracked engineer carrier

Army Recognition reported the IDF using Puma armored engineering vehicles fitted with Carpet in Gaza in November 2023, while IsraelDefense describes CARPET as mounted on Puma-designated Combat Engineering Corps vehicles.

Sources: Army Recognition Carpet in Gaza, IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza

Namer, Heavy armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicle, Armored VehiclesNamerHeavy armored combat-engineering carrier

IsraelDefense reports that CARPET is assembled on Namer-designated Combat Engineering Corps vehicles as well as Puma vehicles.

Sources: IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza

Timeline

Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket Key Events

  1. Defense Update publishes a detailed CARPET profile

    Defense Update described CARPET as a Rafael mine-clearing rocket system with a 20-rocket loadout, 265 mm rockets, and inside-vehicle operation for rapid breaching work.

    Sources: Defense Update CARPET system

  2. First operational use in Lebanon

    IsraelDefense describes CARPET's first operational use as the 2006 Lebanon War, where it was used by Israeli combat-engineering vehicles for explosive-area clearance and attacks on Hezbollah positions and vehicles.

    Sources: IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza

  3. Use during Operation Protective Edge

    IsraelDefense reports that CARPET was used during Operation Protective Edge, the July-August 2014 Gaza War, alongside older line-charge mine-clearing equipment.

    Sources: IsraelDefense Carpet in Gaza

  4. Army Recognition reports Puma-mounted CARPET in Gaza

    Army Recognition reported the IDF using Puma armored engineering vehicles fitted with Carpet in Gaza to destroy Hamas tunnels and positions during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

    Sources: Army Recognition Carpet in Gaza

Media

Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket Videos

Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket Images

Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket, Fuel-air mine-clearing rocket system, Artillery - view 1
Source: Wikimedia Commons Puma Carpet photo
Carpet fuel-air mine-clearing rocket, Fuel-air mine-clearing rocket system, Artillery - view 2
Source: Wikimedia Commons Swords of Iron IDF photo
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Sources

Defense Update CARPET systemPublisher: Defense Update | Note: Supports manufacturer background and CARPET specifications, including Rafael, launcher loadout, range, weight, and mine-breaching method. | Accessed: 2026-07-01IsraelDefense Carpet in GazaPublisher: IsraelDefense | Note: 2006 Lebanon War, 2014 Gaza War, and 2023 Israel-Hamas War: reports Israeli Combat Engineering Corps use of CARPET and supports Rafael developer context, carrier vehicles, launcher loadout, lane dimensions, and field reloading. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons CARPET Puma photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the CARPET anti-mine rockets installed on IDF Puma photograph. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons Puma Carpet photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the Puma combat-engineering vehicle photograph showing the Carpet configuration at Latrun. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons Swords of Iron IDF photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: used by the IDF during Gaza ground operations; the annotated Commons file identifies the Carpet mine-clearing system in the image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Army Recognition Carpet in GazaPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: used by the IDF in Gaza on Puma armored engineering vehicles to destroy Hamas tunnels and positions. | Accessed: 2026-07-01