IAI demonstrates upgraded HAROP Loitering Munition system for foreign customer

Posted On
a
 
World Defense & Security Industry News - IAI
 
 
 
IAI demonstrates upgraded HAROP Loitering Munition system for foreign customer
 
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently completed a series of flight demonstrations of its HAROP Loitering Munitions in Israel for a foreign customer. These demonstrations follow various other successful operational exercises performed in the last few months for different customers, the Israel-based company announced on June 7, 2015.
     
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently completed a series of flight demonstrations of its HAROP Loitering Munitions in Israel for a foreign customer. These demonstrations follow various other successful operational exercises performed in the last few months for different customers, the Israel-based company announced on June 7, 2015. IAI HAROP Loitering Munition system
     
The HAROP demonstrated augmented capabilities in the field of observation, flight altitude and loitering, in addition to better maneuvering and target destruction. During the exercises, the missile loitered for several hours until the target was selected. Then, with maximum precision it dived directly on to it.

A HAROP unit is comprised of launchers and a Mission Control Shelter (MCS) which enables missile control with a man-in-the-loop operation, engagement or abort attack capability in real time, thereby avoiding collateral damage.

HAROP, with a warhead of 15kg. can be used in a range of battle scenarios, including low and high intensity conflict, urban warfare and counter terror operations.

HAROP is launched from transportable launchers and navigates towards the target area, where it can loiter and search for targets for up to six hours. Once a target, whether stationary or moving, is detected, it is attacked and destroyed. The attack can be performed from any direction and at any attack angle, from flat to vertical. Powered by a rotary engine driving a pusher propeller, the Harop is believed to have a cruising speed of 100 kt (185 km/h) and a maximum range of greater than 500 km. However, the direct line-of-sight datalink capability enables an operator control at ranges of up to 150 km.

To date, hundreds of HAROP systems have been sold to different customers, for an accumulated amount of hundreds of millions of dollars. Even it has never been confirmed, Turkey reportedly signed in 2005 a $100mn contract to become the Harop launch-customer, and in 2007 India was identified as showing interest in the system, with negotiations reported for between 8 and 10 Harops.

Boaz Levi, IAI Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Systems, Missiles & Space Group said: "The successful flight demonstrations and operational tests reflect HAROP's reliability and quality, together with its advanced technological capabilities. IAI is a world pioneer in the field of loitering munitions. Products from IAI's line of loitering munitions are based on innovative and technological breakthroughs and upgrade the future combat array that includes unmanned systems.

There is no doubt that HAROP gives its users significant operational advantages. We consider HAROP as a leading system with considerable sales potential".