After selling tens of thousands of Spike missiles to more than 25 armies around the world, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is now unveiling a new and more advanced version - the Spike LR 2, called the Gil 2 in Israel.
The new missiles will be displayed at the 2017 International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget in mid-June. Rafael says that the new missile has 5G capabilities. It can be launched at targets from land, a helicopter, or a ship. The other Gil missiles with which the IDF and other armies are familiar are 4G. Rafael says that because advanced systems have been installed on it and it is connected to the Internet, which makes it more effective under different battle conditions, it is a 5G missile.
The new 12.7-kilogram missile is multi-purpose; it can be used to attack a wide range of targets. When fired from land, it can strike targets at a range of 5.5 kilometers. When fired from a helicopter, its maximum range is 10 kilometers.
Two warhead configurations can be mounted on the new missiles: a double warhead, which provides more than 30% in added penetration in comparison with the preceding generation Gil missile, and a multi-purpose warhead whose fuse and damage effect caused when hitting the target can be controlled.
According to Rafael, the warhead with which the new missile is equipped enables it to penetrate more than 20 centimeters of armored concrete. The missile has hovering capability, and can spread its fragments peripherally when used to attack soft targets.
The new Gil missiles are equipped with innovative electro-optical homing heads that contain an infrared sensor and an HD color sensor. The new homing heads provide the Gil 2 with smart tracking capability for a variety of targets by utilizing artificial intelligence capabilities.
Rafael said today that the new missile was developed according to the needs of armies on the modern battlefield, among other things by adapting it to counter the reactive protection usually installed on armored vehicles, and even active protection.
In preparation for the Paris Air Show, Aeronautics also plans to display innovations, including its tactical UAV Orbiter 4 UAV and its Pegasus 120, the company's first drone.
The Orbiter 4 is capable of carrying two types of payloads, such as radar for naval patrols and a sensor for cellular communications. This situation makes it possible to extend the capability of UAVs, while performing intelligence missions at ranges of hundreds of kilometers.
Aeronautics said today that the Pegasus 120 drone was capable of carrying a 75-kilogram payload, and was designed for special forces on difficult missions.
Published by Globes [online], Israel Business News - www.globes-online.com - on May 29, 2017
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