Israel unveils the 'Iron Sting' laser, GPS-guided mortar munition
A ‘networked precision fire system’ that engages targets accurately and prevents collateral damage • 10-year development concludes with successful trials
By Udi Shaham, Jerusalem Post, March 14, 2021
Iron Sting laser, GPS-guided mortar munition [Credit: Israel Defense Ministry Spokesperson's Office]
As the IDF completes
preparations for possible combat in both the southern and the northern
fronts — where it is expected to encounter a smarter, well-organized
enemy —the Defense Ministry, the IDF’s Ground Forces and Elbit Systems
have revealed a precise, laser and GPS guided mortar munition: the “Iron
Sting.”
The 120
mm mortar has recently undergone final trials in a testing site in
southern Israel. The completion of testing enables the start of serial
production ahead of the system’s supply to the IDF, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The body in charge of development of the system in the Defense Ministry is the Directorate of Defense R&D (DDR&D).
The
series of tests was carried out using two networked "Cardom" mortar
systems developed by Elbit: a “Cardom” system, mounted on an M113 APC
and a “Cardom Spear” system, mounted on a Hummer 4X4 SUV.
The
ministry said in a statement that Iron Sting is designed to engage
targets precisely, in both open terrains and urban environments, while
reducing the possibility of collateral damage and preventing injury to
non-combatants. Its operational use will revolutionize ground warfare
and equip battalions with organic, accurate and effective firepower.
Following
the announcement, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that "the
technology made available to the IDF by Israeli industries changes the
battlefield and provides our forces with more accurate and effective
means.
"The
integration of ‘Iron Sting' into the IDF corresponds to the vision
presented in the military’s ‘Tnufa’ multi-year plan,” he said. “It also
fulfills the IDF’s needs, adapting combat capabilities to contend with
enemies hidden within civilian, urban environments, while meeting the
legal and moral standards set by the State of Israel.”
DDR&D’s
Head of Research and Development, Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, said that
“ten years of research and development have led us to this moment when
we can provide the IDF’s ground forces with advanced capabilities made
for the modern battlefield.
“This
laser and GPS-guided mortar munition provides troops with a precise
firing capability that has only been implemented in missiles and air
munition thus far,” he said. “This is a very complex program and a
groundbreaking system on the international level.”
Col.
Arik Aviv, head of the IDF’s Ground Forces’ Weapons Department, said
that “the Ground Forces command is leading the process of integrating
the ‘Iron Sting’ into the IDF. This precise guided mortar munition is
groundbreaking for IDF battalions, equipping them with accurate and
organic firepower.
This
capability has so far been reserved for large and complex missiles,” he
said. “Thanks to this impressive technological development, it will now
be implemented in mortar munitions on a wide scale.”
Yehuda
(Udi) Vered, general manager of Elbit Systems Land Division, said: "The
introduction of this laser and GPS guided munition transforms the
mortar system from statistical firepower into a precision fire system,
thus delivering a significant change in fire capabilities at the
tactical level.
“We
believe that we have been able to develop an efficient solution that
enables us to increase precision and reduce collateral damage.”
Please recommend this page & follow the Sputniks Orbit
No comments:
Post a Comment