Israel Aerospace Industries,
BEN GURION INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Israel: IAI/MBT Missiles Division will present its family of laser guided weapons and will introduce an advanced operational concept for network-centric laser guided warfare at Eurosatory 2008 (Paris, France).
MBT’s laser guided weapons enable ground forces to engage targets effectively, employing a variety of weapons/warheads and launch platforms, covering large areas. The operational concept, currently under evaluation by several armies, enables infantry and mechanized forces, equipped with laser designators and sophisticated C2 systems, to call up, “on demand”, an appropriate weapon from automatically allocated remote launchers.
A similar system concept is used for borders and bases protection from mortars and rockets attacks and insurgents' penetration. Electro-optic payloads, fixed on towers, deployed in the field or in the air, perform targets detection, identification and designation. The targets are rapidly and accurately engaged by laser guided missiles fired from remote, unmanned launchers. This capability transforms the fighter, or the observation sensor, into a formidable weapon system, seamlessly engaging targets with appropriate weapons in a timely manner.
Laser guided weapons provide forces with accurate, cost-effective fire, with robust, simple operation. IAI's laser guided munitions cover a wide set of targets and scenarios:
— LAHAT – Lightweight, 8 km range missile, launched from a variety of platforms, including vehicles, helicopters, tanks and fixed launchers. Fitted with 2.5 kg anti-personnel or anti-tank warhead.
— FireBall – 120 mm laser/GPS guided mortar bomb, effective against personnel and soft targets to a range of 15 km.
— Nimrod 1 – 26 km, vehicle- or helicopter-launched anti-tank, anti-personnel and anti-building missile.
— Nimrod 3 – 50 km laser/GPS guided missile with a large anti-building warhead.
— Griffin 3 – Extremely accurate laser guidance kit for GP and penetration bombs.
IAI has sold thousands of laser guided munitions to customers worldwide, and foresees a significant growth in the market as users demand more accurate and timely fire for their ground and air units.
Israel Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (IAI) is Israel's largest industrial exporter and a globally recognized leader for the defense and commercial markets.
MBT Missiles, a division of IAI’s Systems Missiles & Space Group, specializes in the design and production of missile systems, naval attack missiles, loitering weapon systems and precision guidance munitions. MBT Missiles also offers integrated naval combat suits for new ships and as upgrades to existing ships. IAI is a leader in advanced air defense and anti-missile systems, both naval and ground-based.
IAI's sales for FY 2007 totaled $3.3 billion compared to $2.8 billion in 2006, an 18 percent increase. $2.7 billion (82 percent) of these sales are for export.
