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LORA follows a relatively simple three
elements design, comprising a warhead in the fore section, propulsion
unit, including the solid fuel rocket motor with a nozzle. The nozzle
is encircled by the navigation, flight control and guidance unit,
which includes the integrated avionic guidance and flight control
section, cruciform tail control surfaces, actuators, related antennas and
connectors. This simple and modular design contributes to very
reliable operation and simple logistics, since all necessary
activities can be handled by the avionic unit. The missile's weighs
1.6-1.8 tons, depending on warhead used. Its length is about 5 m'. and
the diameter is 610 mm. LORA is stored in a
dedicated sealed canister with shelf life of seven years without
maintenance. Since it's dimensions are larger than the MLRS it
requires a special infrastructure. The missile uses an integrated GPS/INS system, used to rapidly
establish launch position, without preliminary ground survey and site
preparation. The system also determines the exact position of the
missile, relative to the target, throughout the flight, enabling
flexible maneuvering, maintaining optimal flight path and shaping the
terminal effect according to the mission requirements.
 While IAI is exposing LORA at Eurosatory 2006 exhibition, the system
has already been proven in several tests, including a launch from a
ship deck. The program is funded by several customers and IAI is
expecting more clients to join the program as it picks momentum. IAI
is offering the missile as a weapon system capable of engaging
strategic targets deep in the enemy's territory, from mobile or
maritime platforms. Typical targets are fixed or transportable
including infrastructure assets (communications, power stations) and
surface to air missiles (SAM) batteries, particularly those that
cannot rapidly change location. With an accuracy of less than 10
meters, equal or better to that of an aerial guided weapon (such as a
1,000 pound JDAM), LORA can eliminate such targets without warning and
without risking an expensive aircraft. The missile can be equipped
with a 400 kilogram high explosive warhead or with a 600 kg
penetration warhead, to hit hardened targets. The missile can be
programmed to hit the target at high angle of attack, of up to 70
degrees, which, together with the high impact speed, maximizes the
penetration effect and damage. The missile can perform pre-programmed
manoeuvres after launch and after re-entry, to conceal its launch
point and intended target, thus preventing the enemy from taking
defensive measures or attempting to intercept the missile or launcher.
These capabilities make LORA a weapon of deterrence, which can be
susceptible to enemy pre-emptive strike. To survive such threat, LORA
has several "built-in" advantages. The missile can be used in two
configurations – transportable and maritime. Each concept of operation
has its advantages. The transportable version has a minimal visual and
electromagnetic signature and a small footprint. It can be easily
transported and hidden in areas out of enemy reach. The missile can be
launched within few minutes, from unprepared positions. In fact, any
target whose location is known within the range of the missile can be
attacked within less than ten minutes from the launch decision. As for
the maritime version – the LORA can be launched from "blue water",
well beyond the reach of enemy's coastal defenses. The LORA uses a
shaped trajectory flight mode. This feature also contributes to LORA's
immunity to most enemy defenses, including Anti Tactical Ballistic
Missile defense systems designed to hit subsonic missiles. It is also
immune to electronic warfare (EW) and GPS countermeasures.
A ship borne version of the LORA will include: missiles stored in
sealed canisters and a missile control center, located at the combat
information center (CIC) of the ship. The missiles are launched in an
oblique trajectory, which directs the hot gases to the side of the
ship, eliminating damage to systems located on the deck.
The impact point of one of the LORA missiles fired into the
Mediterranean sea, showing the accurate hit, within 10 meters from the
designated aimpoint. The floating circled points are location markers
designated the target's triangle. |
