IAI Introduces New Naval Application for Loitering Munition
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) introduces a new application of its GREEN DRAGON Loitering Munition. In order to address a requirements of the naval arena, adjustments to the system’s canister and communication antenna were made, thereby making it launchable from naval vessels.
The GREEN DRAGON is a tactical, low-cost solution, designed to provide significant situational awareness and firepower in a compact envelope to Combat Ships, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Patrol Boats. It is a silent, all electric Electro-Optically guided munition with 90 minutes of loitering time, during which its operator can collect visual intelligence of surrounding area areas – especially in congested waters and shore targets, in a range of up to 40 kilometres. The Loitering Munition can provide ISR service to the launching platforms, then surveys, locates, acquires and finally destroys operator selected target. GREEN DRAGON can carry an up to 3kg warhead with extremely high accuracy, according to the commpany.
The GREEN DRAGON is launched by a small rocket assist motor from a sealed, marine approved canister – quickly clearing the ship’s deck area. As many as 12 units can be carried even on a small vessel and launched upon request. The operator uses a small, tablet-sized control panel and a tactical low-power data-link to operate and control the weapon. The GREEN DRAGON has a built-in “abort and go around” capability to prevent unnecessary collateral damage and mistaken targeting.
