The world has heard much about Loitering Munitions (LMs), particularly in the context of today’s conflicts. So what is all the hype about? What exactly makes these munitions so revolutionary, and why have they become so widely used?
The short answer is that there are two key factors that lead to LMs becoming widely adopted. The first is cost, often referred to as the “Economy of War”. Building large arsenals with traditional weapons has imposed significant financial burdens on many countries, especially as conflicts persist in duration. Additionally, many countries face a “Guerilla” style enemy, making conventional weaponry ineffective and expensive. The advent of LMs has significantly lowered the cost-per-strike ratio, making them successful in neutralizing threats while keeping costs at bay.
The second factor is the need of the operator to achieve the operational goals. There is often much uncertainty in the field; where targets may be hiding, how quickly they move, in which direction, if the area is populated with innocent civilians and more. Having a loitering munition allows the mission operator to factor in and minimize these risks in real time.
Unlike traditional missiles which require precise targeting information before launch, loitering munitions may be deployed without prior knowledge of the target’s location. This independence is crucial, particularly for forces operating in isolated environments with limited external intelligence. Like UAVs, loitering munitions can hover or ‘loiter’ over a designated area to autonomously search for, detect, and acquire targets. Similar to a missile, they detonate upon reaching the target. This capability ensures that the unit using the LM can conduct a closed-loop operation organically with real-time intelligence and strike capabilities. To achieve this, loitering munitions (LMs) may use a range of sensors, including acoustic, electro-optic, and anti-radiation. They may need to withstand adverse weather conditions and must be effective both day and night.
When discussing LMs, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) stands as the premiere example – the world leader and first inventor of the loitering munitions weapons category.
IAI has continued to innovate since the first introduction of an LM, the HARPY, in the 1980s. The HARPY was designed with a passive anti-radiation (AR) seeker and high-explosive warhead, dedicated to the Suppression or Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD / DEAD) missions. This capability is instrumental in replacing combat aircraft in dangerous missions.
The HAROP, an evolution of the HARPY, gained recognition for its effective role in combat, taking out a range of targets from tanks, to air defense arrays, to shallow hangar attacks. HAROP is an extended-range loitering munition, carrying an electro-optical sensor that enables precise area surveillance and target acquisition. It can remain airborne for extended periods, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Alternatively, it can be redirected mid-flight to engage new targets, or the mission can be aborted. This “shoot first, seek later” capability makes HAROP an ideal weapon against high-value, time-sensitive targets such as enemy air defense systems, ships, speed boats, and strategic assets. HAROP has seen a 98% mission success rate all while facing extreme electronic countermeasures and harsh weather conditions.
Leading into the more tactical loitering munitions, IAI developed the MINI HARPY and the ROTEM. Building off of legacy AR and EO payloads, MINI HARPY combines both capabilities to be effective against medium-range threats in challenging weather conditions. MINI HARPY is easily fired out of canisters mounted to tactical military vehicles, civilian pickup trucks, or OPVs and patrol boats, and reaches a range of up to 100 kilometers.
As a favorite of the special forces, ROTEM is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) LM that has seen successful missions in combat zones since 2019. It is man-portable, carried in a backpack by a single soldier, and has an operational range of up to 10 kilometers. ROTEM provides affordable ISR capabilities and immediate strike potential, enhancing situational awareness and combat effectiveness for individual soldiers.
There’s a compelling reason why militaries across the globe are bolstering their arsenals with loitering munitions. When choosing the right loitering munition for each scenario and operation, it is critical to work with teams that have extensive battlefield experience, and have operated systems in harsh environments, including sea conditions, high winds, and disrupted communication and GPS signals. These are the ultimate tests of how successful the loitering munition will be when facing threats on the field.
For more information, schedule a meeting with our experts at Land Forces 2024 by contacting us at corpmkg@iai.co.il
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