Page 9 - DSEi JAPAN 2023 - DAY 2 | DAILY NEWS

IAI EYES

MARKET

FOR HAROP

IN THE REGION

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) hopes to through attack and up to battle damage on it, detonating the warhead upon impact.
sell the Harop loitering missile (LM) type assessment. “Combining characteristics of If required the attack can be aborted and
platform to Japan, and several other South a missile and a UAV, Harop enables effec- the operator can re-attack with the same
East Asian nations. The standoff loitering tive mission execution without relying on LM.
attack weapon system, designed to locate other external systems for targeting and
and precisely attack targets, serves as an mission intelligence,” according to a com- IAI is also displaying advanced, multi-do-
electro-optically guided attack weapon. A pany statement. main capabilities for security and defence,
Harop unit is comprised of LM launchers including special mission aircraft, com-
and a mission control shelter (MCS) that The Harop LMs are programmed before mand, control and communications and
enables missile control with a man in the launch by the ground control station to surveillance, systems, and remotely piloted
loop operation, and real time engagement autonomously fly to a pre-defined holding
or abort attack capability to avoid collat- area, where they loiter. The MCS period- aircraft systems (RPAS). Naval combat
eral damage. Harop LMs are launched from ically checks their position and status suits that include sensors and missiles are
ground-based launchers and controlled via during the route to the holding area. The also featured, along with artillery solutions
a two-way data link for full man-in-the-loop MCS operator can thus control a number of including multi-mission radar and precision
operation. Harop LMs that loiter over a holding area, fires.
selecting one LM for target search and
According to sources, there is a huge inter- attack while the others are monitored peri- The company is also showcasing ground
est in the Harop LMs in the region, including odically. The operator directs the selected surveillance systems, advanced robotics
Japan, as the weapon system can be used LM to the target area and uses the video technologies, tactical VTOL UAS, and inte-
to attack high-value targets, and is capable image to select a target, and to attack it. grated AI solutions for modern and future
of full mission capabilities, from search, The Harop tracks the target and then dives combat vehicles.

LEONARDO HELICOPTERS EYEING FUTURE JGSDF NEEDS

plus three CH-101 utility transports.
The development of this variant of
the AW101/MCH-101 has been led by
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), as
prime contractor, with Leonardo UK in
Yeovil (the original AW101 designer)
continuing to provide technical support.
KHI delivered the first AW101 aircraft to
the JMSDF in May 2006.

In Japan, the primary task of the
AW101/MCH-101 is Airborne Mine
Leonardo Helicopters is engaging AW139, as the ideal platform for gov- Counter Measure. It is one of only two
with the Japan Ground Self-Defence ernment and military missions, in all helicopter types capable of towing the
Force (JGSDF)/Ground Staff Office on weather and environmental conditions, AN/AQS-24A, the only operationally
future helicopter requirements. “We the spokesperson added. proven, high-speed airborne mine hunt-
are engaging with the Japan Ground ing system in the world. The AW101/
Self-Defence Force (JGSDF)/Ground The Japan Maritime Self-Defence MCH-101’s unique three-engine config-
Staff Office on future helicopter require- Force (JMSDF) also operates a fleet uration allows for safe operations when
ments,” a company spokesperson told of ten heavy AW101 helicopters con- towing at low altitude and slow speeds.
Daily News. The company is highlighting figured for mine countermeasure and The AW101 Merlin is also operated by
the AW139M multi-mission helicopter, transportation missions, designated the Royal Navy as its Anti-Submarine
the military version of the well-known as the MCH-101 in Japanese service, Warfare (ASW) helicopter.

DSEi JAPAN 2023 MARCH-16-2023 9