The vertically launched missile high velocity IR homing missile was designed for all-round defense against simultaneous air attacks from multiple combat aircraft, helicopters and missiles. Up to eight targets can be engaged by the naval system. The truck mounted land based system is equipped with a quad missile group, fitted with all associated subsystems. The missile is fired according to targeting data provided by the system’s 3D radar. As the missile is launched, it flies to a lock-on point, using an on-board inertial navigation. At the designated point, the IR seeker is activated and the missile intercepts the target under seeker control. Throughout the flight, the missile is updated with the target’s course, via datalink. Umkhonto IR has a range of 12 km and ceiling of 30,000 feet. Intercept time from launch to impact at 9 km range is 16 seconds. An extended range version – Umkhonto-NG, is under development at Kentron. This version will be equipped with a rocket booster, and will employ an RF seeker head. In 2002 Umkhonto IR missiles were selected to equip six new patrol crafts of the Finnish Navy, as part of the new Haima class stealth fast attack crafts of Fleet 2000 program. The missile was also selected for the protection of the South African Navy Meko A-200 patrol corvetes.
Countering the UAS Threat
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The ongoing wars in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and the Middle East have emphasized drones as a new and rapidly changing tool of warfare. First manifested in the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the...
Iron Swords War – Air Defense Challenge
Tamir Eshel - 0
Unlike the land campaign in Gaza that involved mostly ground forces on both sides, most activities on other fronts were conducted in the aerial domain, which tasked Israeli air defense forces to spread out their assets, learn to adapt and improve under fire, and engage different threats, the new techniques, and tactics developed by the enemy. This article outlines Israel's current and evolving air and missile defense capabilities in retrospect of the recent events.
The Evolving Role of Military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
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Recent combat operations have demonstrated the profound influence of unmanned aerial vehicles on recent warfare. This article highlights the new roles and utilization of UAS in ISR, logistics and attack, leveraging hybrid designs of VTOL, fixed wing, ICE and electric propulsion.
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Armored fighting vehicles face other challenges when operating in urban combat. They are exposed to snipers or anti-tank teams operating from elevated positions on rooftops or accessing underground shafts too close for the crew...
Israel’s Indoor Surveillance and Attack Drones
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Operating drones low above ground and in complex terrain represents unique challenges, as most drone controls are limited to line of sight and uninterrupted satellite-based navigation. To endure in a GNSS-contested environment and operate indoors or underground, standard drones would not operate in such conditions. The drone platforms specially designed for subterranean or indoor environments require unique networking, sensing, navigation, and controls to enable such operations. Since these missions are complex and the drones are small, they are used in mission-specific roles such as autonomous mappers, FPV-operated lead elements, and armed effectors.