LAHAT
{{Short description|Israel made anti-tank guided missile}}
{{Other uses|Lahat (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= LAHAT
|image=LAHAT.jpg
|caption=LAHAT ATGM quad pack for helicopters
|origin= Israel
|type= ATGM
|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=
|is_missile=yes
|is_UK=
|service= 1991–present
|wars=
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=Israel Aerospace Industries
|unit_cost= $25,000 (1999){{Cite web|url=http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=node/940|title=Israel Designs Antiarmor Missile to Fire Out of Tank Guns|date=5 May 2005}}
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=
|spec_label=
|weight= {{convert|13|kg|lbs|lk=on|1|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|975|mm|in|lk=on|abbr=on}}
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|diameter= {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|crew=
|sights=
|filling_weight= {{convert|4.5|kg|lbs|lk=on|1|abbr=on}}
|detonation=
|yield=
|armour=
|primary_armament=
|secondary_armament=
|engine=
|engine_power=
|pw_ratio=
|transmission=
|payload_capacity=
|suspension=
|clearance=
|wingspan=
|propellant=
|fuel_capacity=
|vehicle_range= {{convert|6000|-|8000|m|yd|lk=on|abbr=on}} ground launched
{{convert|8000|-|13000|m|yd|abbr=on}} air launched
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|depth=
|boost=
|speed= {{convert|285|-|300|m/s|ft/s|lk=on|abbr=on}}
|guidance= Semi-active laser homing
|steering=
|accuracy=
|launch_platform=105–120 mm smoothbore
rotary-wing aircraft
|transport=
}}
The LAHAT (laser homing attack or laser homing anti-tank, also a Hebrew word for incandescence) is a third generation semi-active laser homing low-weight anti-tank guided missile developed since 1991 and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. It has a tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. It was designed primarily to be fired by Merkava tanks' 105 mm and 120 mm tank guns, though it matches all types of 105 mm and 120 mm guns, including low recoil guns and low-weight guns of military armoured cars.
It is also suitable for patrol ships, possibly modified for 105–106 mm recoilless rifles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs), and self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons (or guns, SPAAGs). Unlike other tank rounds, an LAHAT does not need a tank gun for operation.{{Cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/20060304_lahat-2.html|title=LAHAT Laser Guided Missile|date=4 March 2006}}
Overview
The LAHAT is designed to achieve a 95 percent probability of kill under most conditions.{{Cite news |date=5 May 2005 |url=https://www.afcea.org/content/israel-designs-antiarmor-missile-fire-out-tank-guns |title=Israel Designs Antiarmor Missile to Fire Out of Tank Guns |work=Signal |publisher=AFCEA International}} It has a semi-active laser guidance system, capable of both direct and indirect laser designation—the target can be laser-designated by the launching platform (e.g. firing tank) or other platform (e.g. another tank, helicopter, UAV, or forward scouting team), requiring minimal exposure in the firing position. With a low launch signature, the missile's trajectory can be set to match either top attack (armoured fighting vehicle, warship) or direct attack (helicopter gunship) engagements.
The LAHAT missile has a range of up to {{convert|8000|m|mi|abbr=on}} when launched from a ground platform, and up to {{convert|13000|m|mi|abbr=on}} when deployed from high elevation. The time of flight to a target at {{convert|4000|m|mi|abbr=on}} is 14 seconds and the missile hits the target at an accuracy of {{convert|0.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} circular error probable (CEP) and an angle of over 30 degrees, providing effective penetration of up to {{convert|800|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) steel with its tandem-charge warhead to deal with add-on reactive armor.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arms-expo.ru/news/weapons_in_the_world/indiya_ne_kupit_u_izrailya_protivotankovye_rakety_lahat/|title=Индия не купит у Израиля противотанковые ракеты LAHAT}}{{cite web |url=http://www.defense-update.com/directory/lahat.htm |title=Lahat Laser Guided Missile |publisher=Defense-update.com |access-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222041936/http://www.defense-update.com/directory/lahat.htm |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead}} In any tank, the LAHAT is stowed in the ammunition rack and handled otherwise like any other type of ammunition.
The LAHAT was renamed the "Nimrod-SR" for the Latin American market.{{cite web|last=Eshel |first=Tamir |url=http://defense-update.com/20120327_ram-mkiii-armored-vehicle-rough-and-tough.html |title=RAM MkIII Armored Vehicle: Rough and Tough |date=27 March 2012 |publisher=Defense Update |access-date=10 February 2014}}
The United States military is considering using the LAHAT as a weapon to arm unmanned aerial vehicles. The missile has been tested on the IAI RQ-5 Hunter.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140101034952/http://defensetech.org/2013/12/30/pentagon-plans-to-weaponize-more-drones/ Pentagon Plans to Weaponize More Drones]}} - Defensetech.org, 30 December 2013
The LAHAT has been successfully test-fired from a helicopter in demonstrations. Eight missiles were launched at targets up to {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} away, from altitudes between {{convert|300|and|6000|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Firings were conducted while the helicopter was hovering, and moving, at targets that were fixed, and moving. One direct hit was scored using the helicopter's observation capability along with laser designation from ground forces.[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lahat-missile-passes-complex-firing-trial-395617/ Lahat missile passes complex firing trial] - Flightglobal.com, 6 February 2014
See also
- List of gun-launched missiles
- {{lwc|9M119 Svir/Refleks}}
- {{lwc|SAMHO}}
- {{lwc|UMTAS}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Lahat missiles}}
- [http://www.iai.co.il/2013/16147-46093-en/Business_Areas_Military_Land_PrecisionStrike.aspx LAHAT on IAI.co.il]
- [http://www.iai.co.il/Default.aspx?docID=16163&FolderID=34281&lang=en LAHAT (naval) on IAI.co.il]
- [http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/SIGNAL_Article_Template.asp?articleid=940&zoneid=151 LAHAT on SIGNAL Magazine]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222041936/http://www.defense-update.com/directory/lahat.htm LAHAT on Defense-update.com]
{{IAI aircraft}}
Category:Anti-tank guided missiles
Category:Anti-tank guided missiles of Israel