LAHAT

The LAHAT ("Laser Homing Attack" or "Laser Homing Anti-Tank", also a Hebrew word for incandescence) is a semi-active laser homing low-weight anti-tank guided missile developed since 1992 and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. 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, low-weight guns of military armoured cars. Also suitible for patrol ships, possibly modified for 105-106 mm recoilless rifles, UAVs, HMMWVs, SPAAGs. Unlike other tank rounds, LAHAT does not need a tank gun for operation.

LAHAT has a semi-active laser guidance system, capable of both direct and indirect laser designation - target can be laser-designated by the launching platform (i.e firing tank) or other platform (i.e 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 armoured fighting vehicle, warship, (top attack) or helicopter gunship (direct attack) engagements.

It has a range of 6-8 km when launched from a ground platform, and up to 8-13 km, when deployed from high elevation. The missile hits the target at an accuracy of 0.7 meter CEP and an angle of over 30 degrees, providing effective penetration of up to 800 mm of armor steel with its tandem warhead to deal with add-on reactive armor. LAHAT might also carry embedded active protection system countermeasure capabilities. In any tank the LAHAT is stowed like other rounds in the ammunition rack, and handled just like any other type of ammunition.

Operators

; ISR: Merkava; IND: Arjun, Tank EX; CRO: M-95 Degman; GER: Leopard 2

Characteristics

* Effective range: 8 km
* Length: 97.5 cm
* Span 10.5 cm
* Weight: 13.5 kg
** Ground or aerial platform with 4 missiles: 75 kg
* Speed: 285-300 m/s
* Penetration: 800 mm
* Guidance: Semi-Active Laser Homing
* Warhead: tandem, HEAT
* Prodution Cost: $20,000 (1999)

Comparable systems

* AT-11 Sniper

External links

* [http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/SIGNAL_Article_Template.asp?articleid=940&zoneid=151 LAHAT on SIGNAL Magasine]
* [http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/anti-armor/lahat/LAHAT.html LAHAT on israeli-weapons.com]
* [http://www.defense-update.com/directory/lahat.htm LAHAT on Defense-update.com]
* [http://www.iai.co.il/Default.aspx?docID=16163&FolderID=34281&lang=en LAHAT on IAI.co.il]