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sandyj

IAI's Multi-Purpose Lahat Missile



IAI is unveiling at Eurosatory 2008 a long awaited multi-purpose version of the Lahat missile, designed to defeat 'soft' targets. Initially, the lightweight (12.5 kg) Lahat missile was equipped with a shaped charge an anti-tank warhead weighing 2.5 kg. This warhead is capable of penetrating up to 800 mm of steel armor. The new warhead weighs the same but uses a fragmentation sleeve fitted to a smaller shaped charge designed to create both armor penetrating and blast fragmentation effects. The new warhead developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) is effective against exposed human targets, soft (unarmored) vehicles and light armored vehicles. Standard shaped charge warheads are not effective against soft targets due
to their 'surgical' highly directional effect.



In addition, IAI is offering the new missile as part of an innovative force protection application, which could be employed to protect coalition force, forward operating bases in Afghanistan and Iraq, or other 'hot' border areas. In this application, unmanned Lahat missile stacks are maintained in fixed installations, each carrying eight missiles. Up to four units can be employed to cover the entire base perimeter, providing operating depth of several kilometers. The missiles are linked to existing area surveillance systems, operating at the base, comprising unattended and electro-optical sensors.

Forward operating bases are protected by unattended sensor arrays and electro-optical (EO) surveillance means. They also employ separate networks of base protection sensors, patrols, and combat fire support and air support assets. However, current means are frequently incapable responding to sporadic insurgent attacks. While electro-optical systems in observations, UAVs, or surveillance aircraft frequently detect and identify insurgents, setting up mortar or rocket launchers to attack, defenders repeatedly fail to perform target hand-over from the observation, spotting the target,
through the command post authorizing the attack, to the target acquisition system tracking the target and direct a weapon to destroy it. Clearing complex fire safety procedures through the chain of command only add to the complexity, especially when adhering to strict rules of engagement, typical in 'asymmetric warfare'. Since observation systems are not usually associated with integral weapons, such 'kill chains' are slow to react, frequently enabling insurgents to fire their weapons and escape before the defender reacts and opens fire.

IAI is introducing a new dimension into the 'sensor-to-shooter' cycle, since its new Lahat will empower the 'sensor' elements to perform target acquisition and designation, while being capable of immediate responding to time-critical targets. By associating the target in-sight with the remotely launched LAHAT missile, using the laser designator attached to the EO payload, the system is transforming the 'sensor' into a 'trigger'.

The key to this new implementation are weapon-allocation rules (algorithms) developed at IAI, based on the company's long experience with air defense systems. These rules are matching the best available missile with the associated target, considering location, distance, response time, direction of attack, nearby friendly forces etc. According to Ofer Doron, marketing manager of IAI/MBT missile systems & Space Group, recent demonstrations performed with the new Lahat proved its ability to accurately and effectively defeat a group of exposed soft (human like) targets, utilizing
low-angle (ground bound) target designation. The small warhead is optimized to defeat the target while maintaining relatively limited peripheral effect reducing collateral damage.

According to Doron, the Lahat is designed to operate under all weather
conditions and could attack any target visible to the electro-optical sensor. IAI carries the Lahat concept further into a new method of fire support by precision laser guided weapons, where 24 Lahat missiles are installed on a vehicular platform, carrying a communications system and
electro-optical payloads on a telescopic mast. Multiple units could be positioned to cover the field of operation, fire missiles in support of infantry units operating in its area.

Similar to the force protection Lahat concept, the 'trigger' will be activated by the supported unit, where the infantry calling for support will command the launch and designate the target to be attacked. Each vehicle could support units beyond line of sight, at ranges of up to eight kilometers, using anti-tank or multi-purpose missiles depending on the effect required. The missile unit could also attack targets within line-
of -sight autonomously using its own sensors.

sandyj

IAI Unveils Laser-Guided, Net-Centric Weapons

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) Presents Innovative NetCentric Laser Guided Weapon Systems and Operational Concept at Eurosatory 2008

(Source: Israel Aerospace Industries; issued June 16, 2008)

BEN GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel --- IAI/MBT Missiles Division will present its family of laser guided weapons and will introduce an advanced operational concept for network-centric laser guided warfare at Eurosatory 2008 (Paris, France).

MBT’s laser guided weapons enable ground forces to engage targets effectively, employing a variety of weapons/warheads and launch platforms, covering large areas. The operational concept, currently under evaluation by several armies, enables infantry and mechanized forces, equipped with laser designators and sophisticated C2 systems, to call up, "on demand", an appropriate weapon from automatically allocated remote launchers.

A similar system concept is used for borders and bases protection from mortars and rockets attacks and insurgents' penetration. Electro-optic payloads, fixed on towers, deployed in the field or in the air, perform targets detection, identification and designation. The targets are rapidly and accurately engaged by laser guided missiles fired from remote, unmanned launchers. This capability transforms the fighter, or the observation sensor, into a formidable weapon system, seamlessly engaging targets with appropriate weapons in a timely manner.

Laser guided weapons provide forces with accurate, cost-effective fire, with robust, simple operation. IAI's laser guided munitions cover a wide set of targets and scenarios:

-- LAHAT – Lightweight, 8 km range missile, launched from a variety of platforms, including vehicles, helicopters, tanks and fixed launchers. Fitted with 2.5 kg anti-personnel or anti-tank warhead.

-- FireBall – 120 mm laser/GPS guided mortar bomb, effective against personnel and soft targets to a range of 15 km.

-- Nimrod 1 – 26 km, vehicle- or helicopter-launched anti-tank, anti-personnel and anti-building missile.

-- Nimrod 3 – 50 km laser/GPS guided missile with a large anti-building warhead.

-- Griffin 3 – Extremely accurate laser guidance kit for GP and penetration bombs.


IAI has sold thousands of laser guided munitions to customers worldwide, and foresees a significant growth in the market as users demand more accurate and timely fire for their ground and air units.

Scratch

Israel's high end tanks have had some trouble staying in the fight against modern anti-tank missiles. Now they get additional, active protection. At the current prices, those systems seem to not be suited for the day to day battlefield vehicle.
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http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...23&c=ASI&s=LAN

Israel Says Tanks To Get New Anti-Missile System

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 7 Aug 2009 08:33

JERUSALEM - The Israeli army will begin equipping its tanks with a new anti-missile system, following stinging losses as a result of missiles fired by Hezbollah militants in the 2006 Lebanon war, officials said.

The Trophy system uses radar to track incoming missiles and fires a projectile to explode the missiles before they reach their target, a military official said.

Tests of the system were successful and it will be installed on the latest generation Merkava IV tanks.

According the private television station Channel 10, the system is expensive, costing about $350,000 dollars (245,000 euros) per unit.

Israel has been searching for a new defense against missiles after Hezbollah militants during the Second Lebanon War scored a number of damaging strikes against the Merkavas, considered one of the strongest tanks in the world.

Israel media have reported that of 25 modern guided missiles fired by Hezbollah militants, a quarter penetrated the tank's formidable armor and caused death or injuries among crew members.