New Capabilities and Advanced Training Solution

At AUSA 2018 UVision Air Ltd. will present the new advanced launcher for the HERO-30 lethal loitering system alongside the entire HERO family and an advanced simulation system.

The newly configured launcher offers reduced system weight, greater safety as well as ease-of-use during launch, and can be easily mounted on a range of platforms. Its pneumatic launch, low noise and low thermal signature make HERO-30 an invisible, high-precision surprise and lethal attacker, providing a major asset to the fighting force. Man-pack portable, HERO-30 is the smallest in the UVision family of smart loitering systems. Deployable within minutes, it is capable of speeds of up to 100kt and is ideal for anti-personnel and light-skinned vehicle attack missions. The new launcher makes the system even lighter and therefore easier to operate, while also providing greater safety during launch, thanks to the external compressed air canister.

At AUSA, UVision will also highlight an advanced simulation system for the HERO family of loitering systems, for use in training troops with the HERO system and its capabilities, thus avoiding the costs, risks and constraints inherent in live fire missions. The training system provides a high-fidelity environment and mission simulation, as well as instructional capabilities, allowing users of all levels to train in a wide range of operational scenarios.

The system is based on proprietary software that runs on the HERO Operator Control Unit (OCU). It includes 3D training databases and computer-generations of forces and 3D objects. Its control hardware uses real flight and wind tunnel data, as well as the actual munition autopilot and video tracking, to create a realistic environment. The Windows-based simulator is fully compliant and completely integrated with the actual autopilot flight control system. Recording and debriefing modes deliver clear and constructive feedback to trainees. New features can be added on demand, making the HERO simulator the ideal tool both for training new operators and for providing mission rehearsal capabilities for units in the field.

The HERO family is comprised of seven loitering munitions systems (HERO-30, HERO-70, HERO-120, HERO-250, HERO-400EC, HERO-900, HERO-1250), designed for different missions at various ranges. The systems enable high-speed transit flight and low-speed loitering, depending on the tactical or strategic needs of the mission and can handle moving targets, moving light-duty vehicles, tanks and other strategic objectives. Enabling precision attacks on targets, using warheads of different types and weights, the systems may also be provided in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance configuration, enabling use of the platform as a means of gathering intelligence.

The HERO family can carry out pinpoint strikes in urban areas or remote locations, with minimal collateral damage. In cases in which an attack is aborted, the systems can be recalled and another target selected. With extremely low acoustic and thermal signatures, these systems integrate highly-advanced, stabilised electro-optic day/night cameras, and are ideal for deployment from air, land and sea.

“Both the new launcher and the simulation system have been developed with the aim of enhancing [the] efficiency of military forces,” explained UVision CEO, Noam Levitt. “The simulation system enables training in a virtual environment in order to fully prepare soldiers for live missions. In the field, the new launcher, with its reduced weight and external compressed air canister, offers the soldier operational efficiencies and ease of use. Both the HERO system and the new launcher are already being used by forces worldwide.”