Israel Aerospace Designs ROC-X World First Hand-Launched VTOL Loitering Munition.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has introduced the ROC-X, a high-tech, hand-launched vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) precision strike missile, designed to enhance military operational capabilities. This innovative missile, currently showcased at the AUSA 2024 exhibition in Washington, D.C., from October 9 to 11, 2024, aims to significantly improve the lethality of troops in the field, allowing for swift and precise engagements against a wide range of targets. With the ROC-X, IAI reinforces its commitment to integrating advanced technology into defense solutions, solidifying its reputation as a aerospace and defense sector leader.
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IAI ROC-X Hand-Launched VTOL Loitering Munition (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the Point Blank, also known as the ROC-X, the world’s first hand-launched electro-optical VTOL (Vertical Takeoff & Landing) missile designed to engage both stationary and moving targets. As the first hand-held loitering munition, the Point Blank represents a major advancement in battlefield technology, providing a unique capability that allows a single soldier to launch, operate, and recover the missile independently. Featuring a fuselage length of 1 meter and an X-shaped wing configuration with a wingspan of 0.8 meters, the missile incorporates a ducted propeller propulsion system with no moving parts, enabling stealthy, quiet, and highly maneuverable operation.

The ROC-X boasts an impressive accuracy of one meter circular error probable (CEP), enabling effective strikes at a tactical range of up to 10 kilometers. This precision is achieved through advanced electro-optical and GPS guidance systems, ensuring that operators can engage targets without the need for a dedicated launcher. The hand-launch capability of the ROC-X allows for rapid deployment, providing troops with a versatile tool for modern combat scenarios. This feature is especially beneficial in dynamic environments where speed and adaptability are paramount.

Operational advantages of the ROC-X include fast engagement times and high maneuverability, making it well-suited for a variety of missions. The missile’s design incorporates stealth features that reduce both noise and thermal signatures, facilitating covert operations in hostile territories. Furthermore, the automatic end-game function activates once the operator locks onto a target, ensuring that the missile remains on course for a lethal impact, thus minimizing the risk of collateral damage.

For armed forces, the ROC-X brings a concrete advantage in terms of agility, precision, and independence on the battlefield. Its hand-launched VTOL design means that individual soldiers can deploy it without additional equipment or launchers, making it suitable for rapid-response situations and varied terrains. With a range of 10 kilometers, soldiers can safely engage targets from a distance, both stationary and moving, without exposing themselves to direct enemy fire. Its quiet, stealthy operation reduces the risk of detection, making it ideal for covert missions. Furthermore, the missile’s high accuracy—less than a meter CEP—ensures precise strikes, minimizing collateral damage in populated or sensitive areas. The electro-optical and GPS guidance systems allow real-time control, while the option to abort or redirect the missile mid-flight adds a level of control rarely seen in similar systems, providing tactical flexibility to adapt to changing battlefield conditions.

Weighing 6.8 kilograms and measuring one meter in length, the ROC-X is designed for ease of handling and deployment by troops. It features a 2-kilogram warhead with impact and proximity fuses, enhancing its effectiveness against both static and mobile targets. The missile's operational endurance allows for flight times of up to 20 minutes, with versatile flight modes that include both manual and fully automatic operations. This flexibility ensures that operators can adapt to evolving battlefield conditions, making the ROC-X an invaluable asset in modern warfare.

The development of similar systems to the ROC-X in other armed forces aims to create precise and versatile loitering munitions that can be operated by individual soldiers. However, the ROC-X stands out for its true portability, being entirely hand-launched, unlike other systems such as the U.S. Switchblade 300 or China’s CH-901, which require specific launchers for deployment. This feature makes the ROC-X particularly suited to dynamic environments, enabling quick reaction and flexible engagement in the field, giving soldiers greater autonomy compared to similar systems.