Israeli HAROP attack drones
The Turkish Air Force (TAF) has ordered two batteries, each of 24 systems, of the upgraded, operator-controlled HAROP (Harpy-2) attack drone from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). More than 100 autonomous Harpy-1s are already in service with the TAF.
The Harpy is a 135kg, delta-winged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) fired from ground launchers for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD). It is powered by a rotary engine driving a pusher propeller, giving a maximum speed of 185km/h and an endurance of up to six hours. After launch, the Harpy flies to a pre-programmed loiter position where it searches for electromagnetic emissions. Once a target is detected, the Harpy dives onto it, destroying the radar or Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher with a blast-fragmentation warhead.
The autonomous Harpy-1 can attack only the source of detected RF signals and stops attacking once the transmitter is turned off. In addition to RF-homing, the HAROP can also be directed by its operator to attack a target detected by its optronics payload, or can be re-directed to another search area. © DAPSS S.A., 2004, Switzerland
(my source : http://www.turkish-defence.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1201 by Levent Özgül)
He also reminds this is the second phase of 5 defence agreements in progress with Israel this year. Turkey had bought 20 Litening pods earlier this year (with option of 20 more). The other agreements which will probably be signed soon are 50 Delilah II cruise missiles , modernisation of the remaining F-4 s in to Terminator standard (probably air to air capabilities to T I phase as well as the new ones) and 18 EO cameras for RF-4s which will also have Terminator modernisation to extend service life and avionics..
A little info about Cutlass;
The joint program was initially proposed by IAI/MBT and Raytheon as "Cutlass" for Combat Uninhabited Target Locate and Strike System. Initially displayed in the Paris Air Show in 1999, the system combined the airframe of the Harpy UAV, made by Israel Aircraft Industries, with advanced sensors made by Raytheon Systems, which also manufactures the HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation) missile. Cutlass was adapted for ship-based operations to support US Navy operations over land. It is designed for six hours missions, flying at speed of 100 knots and maximum range of 1,000 km.
Unlike the autonomous Harpy, Cutlass also has a direct line-of-sight datalink capability at range up to 150 km. This range can be extended via relays built into each weapon. Like Harpy, Cutlass primarily is a SEAD weapon, relying on a blast-fragmentation warhead, but Cutlass is different from Harpy in its semi-autonomous mode of operation. When a potential target is located, the information is data-linked to an operator in the ground station to confirm target identification and to provide positive man-in-the-loop attack permission. With different seekers, the killer drone can also be used for hunting of ballistic missile launchers, urban warfare, and attacking vehicles.
The Turkish Air Force (TAF) has ordered two batteries, each of 24 systems, of the upgraded, operator-controlled HAROP (Harpy-2) attack drone from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). More than 100 autonomous Harpy-1s are already in service with the TAF.
The Harpy is a 135kg, delta-winged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) fired from ground launchers for Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD). It is powered by a rotary engine driving a pusher propeller, giving a maximum speed of 185km/h and an endurance of up to six hours. After launch, the Harpy flies to a pre-programmed loiter position where it searches for electromagnetic emissions. Once a target is detected, the Harpy dives onto it, destroying the radar or Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher with a blast-fragmentation warhead.
The autonomous Harpy-1 can attack only the source of detected RF signals and stops attacking once the transmitter is turned off. In addition to RF-homing, the HAROP can also be directed by its operator to attack a target detected by its optronics payload, or can be re-directed to another search area. © DAPSS S.A., 2004, Switzerland
(my source : http://www.turkish-defence.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1201 by Levent Özgül)
He also reminds this is the second phase of 5 defence agreements in progress with Israel this year. Turkey had bought 20 Litening pods earlier this year (with option of 20 more). The other agreements which will probably be signed soon are 50 Delilah II cruise missiles , modernisation of the remaining F-4 s in to Terminator standard (probably air to air capabilities to T I phase as well as the new ones) and 18 EO cameras for RF-4s which will also have Terminator modernisation to extend service life and avionics..
A little info about Cutlass;
The joint program was initially proposed by IAI/MBT and Raytheon as "Cutlass" for Combat Uninhabited Target Locate and Strike System. Initially displayed in the Paris Air Show in 1999, the system combined the airframe of the Harpy UAV, made by Israel Aircraft Industries, with advanced sensors made by Raytheon Systems, which also manufactures the HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation) missile. Cutlass was adapted for ship-based operations to support US Navy operations over land. It is designed for six hours missions, flying at speed of 100 knots and maximum range of 1,000 km.
Unlike the autonomous Harpy, Cutlass also has a direct line-of-sight datalink capability at range up to 150 km. This range can be extended via relays built into each weapon. Like Harpy, Cutlass primarily is a SEAD weapon, relying on a blast-fragmentation warhead, but Cutlass is different from Harpy in its semi-autonomous mode of operation. When a potential target is located, the information is data-linked to an operator in the ground station to confirm target identification and to provide positive man-in-the-loop attack permission. With different seekers, the killer drone can also be used for hunting of ballistic missile launchers, urban warfare, and attacking vehicles.
