New Loitering Munition Combines EO Guidance with Radiation Broadcast Detection
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the MINI HARPY, a newly-developed loitering munition. Based on unique IAI developments and technology, the MINI HARPY combines the capabilities of the company’s two flagship loitering missiles – HAROP and HARPY – offering detection of broadcast radiation with electro-optical (EO) capabilities. The MINI HARPY will be displayed for the first time in public at Aero India in Bangalore, 20-24 February.
The MINI HARPY addresses a broad range of threats and launch scenarios:
• Neutralisation of radiation-emitting threats, such as radars;
• EO threat detection – high-quality video footage for the operator;
• Launch from a broad range of mobile land and marine platforms;
• Multiple tools per area unit.
A tactical system designed for field and marine applications, MINI HARPY can provide complete independence in intelligence collection – updating the situational picture and closing the attack circle at low cost. The missiles are launched, loiter until the threat is detected, then lock on and attack the target for quick, lethal closure. The system was designed to provide operators with control up to the last moment, including cancelling tha attack at any stage. Electrically powered, it is extremely quiet, carries an 8kg shaped charge warhead, operates at a mission range of up to 100km for a mission duration of up to two hours, and has a total weight of 45kg.
“In an age of asymmetrical warfare and fast-moving targets that ‘blink’ for a few seconds at a time, the use of loitering missiles provides strong capabilities for closing the circle of war. Rather than relying on precise reference point, the system we developed loiters [in] the air, waiting for the target to appear and then attacks and destroys the hostile threat within seconds. The MINI HARPY is unique in its beam detection and optical capabilities, a combination of two of our loitering missile systems that sold thousands of units in Israel and abroad,” commented IAI Systems Missiles & Space Group General Manager, Boaz Levy.
