New Tactical Loitering Munition for Covert and Precise Airstrikes

At Paris Air Show in Le Bourget today, Elbit Systems launched SkyStriker – a remotely operated electro-optical, precise guided Loitering Munition (LM) designed to seek, locate and engage various targets for the tactical level corps. The new platform is based on Elbit Systems’ experience providing precise long-range tactical solutions.

“The system’s electric propulsion provides a low acoustic signature and enables covert low altitude operations,” the company says. “Due to its flight speed capability, it can reach a distance of tens of kilometers within minutes. Upon reaching the target area, it can loiter and pursue the target for up to two hours. SkyStriker offers quick deployment and ease of operation in the field, provides forces with the ability to observe and identify an enemy target before delivering a rapid precision airstrike. Its remote operation capability reduces operators’ exposure to detection or enemy fire while guiding the LM to its target.”

In addition to high accuracy, long range and a significant loitering time, the SkyStriker is capable of carrying up to 10kg of munitions. The system also provides significant flexibility such as the ability to choose any target, to engage at any direction and in various angles (shallow to steep) while significantly decreasing costs. Moreover, SkyStriker enables the operator to abort a strike up to two seconds to impact, to re-engage and in case of lack of authorized targets to order a safe return home.