Israel Aerospace Industries signs two contracts worth $145M for long-range loitering munitions.

On November 20, 2023, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the signing of two contracts, totaling $145 million, with undisclosed countries for the supply of long-range loitering munitions. This follows a similar contract earlier in the year, indicating a continued interest in IAI's long-range loitering munitions.
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The Mini Harpy is the only loitering munition in the world with a triple seeker – Electrooptical day, night, and anti-radiation (AR). (Picture source: IAI)

Boaz Levy, IAI's President and CEO, remarked on the operational utility of loitering munitions in various global battlefields, emphasizing their flexibility and precision in combat. According to Levy, the recent orders reflect the confidence these countries have in IAI's loitering munitions family to provide tailored advantages.

IAI's long-range loitering munitions family comprises the Harpy NG, Harop, and Mini Harpy. The Harpy NG, introduced in the 1980s, initiated the loitering munitions weapons class with an Anti-Radiation (AR) seeker designed for Autonomous Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions. Today, the Harpy NG is a more advanced version capable of engaging a diverse range of radiating targets.

An offshoot is the Harop, a combat-proven loitering munition available in naval and land versions. Deployed in various combat scenarios, including counter-terrorism operations, the Harop utilizes a day and night Electro-Optical seeker to scan, detect, identify, and attack both stationary and moving targets with precision. Labeled as a Multi-mission Long Range Loitering Munition System, the Harop integrates the capabilities of a UAV and a lethal missile, conducting target search, identification, and attack operations with a focus on time-critical, high-value, relocatable targets.

The Harop's design emphasizes autonomy, allowing for extended loitering at long ranges without dependency on real-time intelligence. Equipped with a man-in-the-loop attack system, an EO/IR seeker with a full hemispherical attack angle, and a substantial warhead, the Harop provides a continuous, persistent threat to enemy targets in both land and naval scenarios.

Further in IAI's portfolio is the Mini Harpy, recognized as the only loitering munition in the world with a triple seeker – Electrooptical day, night, and anti-radiation (AR). Designed for fully autonomous or Man in the Loop (MITL) operation on land or sea-based platforms, the Mini Harpy leverages 30 years of experience in combat-proven system development. It offers extended area suppression capabilities and immediate targeting functionality, distinguishing itself with a dual EO/IR and anti-radiation seeker for automatic search and engagement of both stationary and moving targets.

The Mini Harpy, stored, transported, and launched from a sealed canister deployable on various platforms, features silent electrical propulsion, the longest endurance, and the largest warhead in its class. Its capabilities encompass "Non-Line of Sight" and "Over the Hill" operations, with flexibility in abort and re-attack options. Key technical specifications include a weight of 40 kg, up to 2 hours of endurance, an 8 kg warhead, an operational range of up to 100 km, and a loitering speed between 101 and 157 km/h.