The signing of contracts totaling $145 million for the production and supply of loitering munitions was announced on November 20 by the Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI). The latter has not named the countries to receive the said munitions.

It is worth noting that a similar contract was signed earlier this year, which indicates the great interest in IAI’s long-range munitions.

According to Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO, the recent orders reflect the confidence these countries have in IAI’s family of ammunition to deliver customized benefits.

IAI’s family of long-range ammunition includes the Harpy NG, Harop and Mini Harpy. The Harpy NG, launched in the 1980s, pioneered the class of Anti-Radiation (AR) tracked munitions designed for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions. Today, the Harpy NG is a more advanced version capable of engaging a wide range of targets.

IAI’s Harop is a combat proven munition available in naval and land versions. It is developed for various operational missions, including counter-terrorism operations. The Harop munition uses a seeker sensor (electro-optical/infrared scanning and radiation source scanning) to locate both stationary and moving targets which it accurately engages.

It is a long-range multi-mission cruise munition that integrates the capabilities of a UAV and a guided missile, which can destroy critical high-value targets.

Practically, the system is designed to allow operators control up to the last moment, thus providing capabilities to abort and/or retry the mission.

The Mini Harpy is also part of IAI’s portfolio, recognized as the world’s only loitering munition with a triple seeker sensor (electro-optical/infrared scanning and radiation source scanning), designed for standalone or Man in the Loop (MITL) operation on land or sea platforms.

Also read: LAWS systems | The Mini-Harpy loitering munition

It offers extensive anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities and direct targeting of both stationary and moving targets.

It has silent electric propulsion, the longest durability and the largest head in its class. Its capabilities include beyond-line-of-sight (NLOS) operations, a 2-hour flight range, a payload of 8 kg, an operational range of up to100 km and a flight speed between 101 and 157 km/h.

Also read: IAI | Unveiling the Scorpius Electronic Warfare System