"Loitering Munitions alter the Battlefield"

One of the hottest issues currently being addressed by the Israeli defense industries is the employment of loitering munitions for attacking targets on the battlefield. Loitering munitions can hover over the target for a long period of time and then strike it at the precise moment chosen by the operator. In the event that the preconditions for the attack have not been fulfilled (for example, when it is feared that a specific strike in an urban combat zone might result in casualties among uninvolved parties), the strike platform may be returned to base, to be launched again on another day.

The loitering munitions concept was developed by IDF many years ago for the purpose of dealing with surface-to-air missile batteries using such 'Kamikaze' drones as the IAI HAROP. Recent developments enable its deployment to the tactical battlefield in the form of systems for the brigade and battalion levels and even for the company level.

In June 2015, at the Paris Air Show, UVision of Israel unveiled a family of loitering munitions designated Hero. UVision's CEO, Brig.Gen. (res.) Efi Idan, presented a new concept developed for the employment of these resources. The new concept is consistent with the new doctrines developed by the IDF Ground Arm for combat operations in complex, dynamic environments where the enemy troops do not wear uniforms, might pop up in front or behind the IDF elements and will do anything to blend into the civilian environment so as to make themselves as difficult as possible to identify and engage.

Idan points out that UVision's loitering munitions are different from another loitering system unveiled by IAI at the Singapore Air Show in February 2016 – the Rotem system – as unlike the Rotem system, the Hero platform is a sort of 'Kamikaze' drone. It can operate at relatively long ranges, beyond visual range, and remain airborne for about thirty minutes before the decision is made as to whether to launch it on a 'Kamikaze' mission at the target it was intended to engage.

"The Hero starts out as a missile, continues to operate as a UAV and ends its life, once again, as a missile. This combination is regarded as unique and innovative worldwide, and sets our company apart," explains Efi Idan.

Idan stated that the Hero loitering missile was developed in several versions, to be employed according to the size of the target and the manner in which the platform itself should be used. The smaller Hero platform weighs 3 kg only and the weight of its warhead is about one-third of the total weight. It is fitted with an electrical battery that weighs 1 kg. A miniature payload weighing only 300 grams is fitted to the head of the platform. This payload enables daytime and night video surveillance with the images transmitted to the operators in the rear area. The Hero platform may be used for surveillance in the event that the strike mission is aborted. Landing is accomplished by means of a parachute.

A New Concept

Numerous specialists were involved in the consolidation of the new concept for the employment of loitering munitions, including UVision's former Chairman of the Board, Maj. Gen. (res.) Yair Naveh and former CEO Yair Dubester, along with the present Chairman of the Board, Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Rom, a former senior officer in the IAF.

The people of UVision said: "We understand that the targets must be dealt with in real time, and that the number and quality of the targets are increasing. The enemy employs various measures for disrupting the strike capabilities of Western weapon systems, so we should be one generation ahead of their capabilities.

"The idea is to have a 'Kamikaze' drone at the company and platoon levels that provides you with a surveillance capability as well as with the ability to close the (sensor-to-shooter) circuit and hit the target. Cost is one of the most significant advantages. For the first time ever, we have placed on the table a product from the missile ordnance world at prices that are not the usual prices of missiles."

The various models of the Hero system are intended for use against personnel targets, buildings or armored vehicles. The platform knows how to locate the weak spots of a vehicle or a building and penetrate through them, and is also capable of attacking anti-aircraft batteries.

The Hero platform is launched by a pneumatic launcher that utilizes air pressure only, so it does not emit a flash that might betray the location of the launching force and endanger it.

The 'Kamikaze' platforms – the larger models in the Hero series – are powered by gasoline engines and have extremely long ranges.

"This is a comprehensive concept that can be relevant from the tactical level all the way up to the strategic level through the operative level – something all-inclusive for the various system types," says Efi Idan.

"In the context of the development of this concept, we have come up with very accurate definitions for this activity, which combines technologies that were already available with innovation. In fact, what we have here is a combination between missiles and UAVs," adds Idan.

"In special seminars, we charted the challenges currently faced, first and foremost, on the battlefields of IDF, challenges in the south and in the north, challenges that might turn up in the east as well as deep inside enemy territory.

"In our view, the last significant change in the employment of fire by infantry forces was the introduction of the Gil missile (known globally as Rafael's Spike system) in 1999. The Gil missile enabled the battalion level to deal with targets at ranges of 3-4 kilometers independently, as well as to make prompt adjustments if necessary. In fact, the implication was the ability to provide the tactical echelon with an independent (fire support) capability. However, the targets we face today are different than those for which the Gil missile had been designed originally. How many tanks will attack us from the direction of Syria? How many tanks do they have in the Gaza Strip? How many armored vehicles do they have in Lebanon? Today, the targets are mainly infantry detachments and ISIS-style pick-up trucks.

"Our smaller platforms are highly suitable for the present era. The Hero is a tactical and systemic weapon system that does not have to be located within visual range or within close ranges. It loiters, it is accurate and is capable of versatile striking – namely, it can engage different types of targets and when you strike you have a choice – delayed, on-target or proximity detonation.

"We at UVision have set ourselves a goal to come up with a system that is covert, capable of spotting the enemy, tracking it, assisting in 'incriminating' the target and then hitting or neutralizing it. Our system provides full documentation by transmitting (video images) to the rear area, and this documentation may be used for operational debriefing or legal analysis. We want this system to be simple and intuitive to operate. Anyone capable of using an iPad should be able to operate the Hero system after four days of basic instruction. Naturally, mission planning will be more complex, but the operation of the platform is very simple.

"The primary theme in the Company's vision is to provide a solution to the battalion and company levels in the form of a highly accurate weapon that prevents collateral damage. The primary objective is providing an independent fire support capability to the tactical echelon that operates in the ever so complex battlefield of the present."