By Arie Egozi
Rafael has recently demonstrated the operational advantages of a miniature electro-optical tactical loitering munition, designed for light maneuvering ground forces such as infantry, Marines or special Forces.
FireFly is also known as the SPIKE-FireFly, a new variant of Rafael’s SPIKE Family Precision Guided Missiles.
As such, the FireFly features a dual seeker, target tracker, homing algorithms, computer vision, Safe & Arm fusing mechanisms, and HMI (Human –Machine – Interface). These features served as a basis for the development of the FireFly and the tailoring of the weapon system to its unique mission profile of urban combat.
According to Gal Papier head of marketing in Rafael’s precision tactical weapons department, FireFly was designed for the dismounted soldier fighting within the urban arena where situation awareness is limited, the enemy is behind cover, and precision is critical.
“FireFly eliminates the value of cover and with it, the necessity of long-drawn-out firefights. It will also make obsolete the old infantry tactic of firing and maneuvering to eliminate an enemy hiding behind cover”. Papier said.
He added that the impact of FireFly on the Infantry is revolutionary, fundamentally changing small Infantry tactics.
The FireFly weapon system kit includes 3 miniature LMs (Loitering Munitions) and a CU (Control Unit) based on a ruggedized tablet with a military standard bidirectional data link.
FireFly round weighs only 3 kg and is rapidly deployed within seconds. It is portable, durable and includes a rugged airframe withstanding the harsh environment of urban combat. Its single-user operation is designed for the dismounted soldier – light, small, and agile.
The operation of FireFly is very intuitive, with no special skills required. The Firefly enables overmatch to break combat deadlock, and has a lethal effect on stationary and moving targets with or without line-of-sight to operator.
FireFly can be operated day and night, and has low visual and acoustic signature.
The first Embraer E190F, a jet converted from passenger transport to freighter (E-Freighter), successfully concluded its inaugural flight in São…
The Government of Greece officially announced its plans to purchase 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin…
Cathay Cargo resumed its Ho Chi Minh City freighter service on April 4, 2024, after a four-year hiatus due to…
Skykraft has secured approval from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for its spectrum filing for a constellation of 2976 satellites.…
The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, has successfully conducted a historic Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) flight test with…
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $559 million over five years to operate, maintain…
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) introduced the ARBEL, hailed as the world’s first computerized small arms system, on Thursday (Apr. 4).…
Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS) has integrated the H175 helicopter flight simulator developed by Indra into their training regimen.…
After a hiatus of over 30 years, Air Canada is set to return to Singapore's Changi International Airport with the…
FLY91, India's youngest regional airline, announced a partnership with IBS Software on Wednesday (Apr. 3). Aiming to enhance its commercial…
Malaysia Airlines announced its partnership with RECARO Aircraft Seating to equip its upcoming Airbus A330neo aircraft with the CL3810 economy…
Rolls-Royce announced that the company has begun flight testing its latest aero engine the Pearl 10X on its dedicated Boeing…
Avolon, a global aviation finance company, has agreed to sell and lease back four new Airbus A330neo aircraft with Cebu…
Malaysia Airlines and India’s largest airline, IndiGo, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a codeshare partnership…
The Indonesian flag carrier airline, Garuda Indonesia, unveiled plans to expand its aircraft fleet with the procurement of eight new…
Belgian Defence has placed an order for six R7 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) from Exail. These unmanned underwater vehicles are…
Greenerwave, a deeptech start-up specialising in the control of electromagnetic waves, launched its first SATCOM user terminal after securing EUR15…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Aerotor Unmanned Systems have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining their collaboration in…
GE Aerospace officially launched as an independent public company on Tuesday (Apr. 2), marking an important milestone in the aviation…
Dassault Aviation has inaugurated a new ExecuJet Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aimed at enhancing…
France’s Naval Group and Indonesian state-owned shipyard PT PAL signed a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence in Jakarta…
Korean Air finalized a firm order for 33 aircraft, including 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s on Tuesday (Apr. 2). The…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) faces a setback as its new frigate program gets postponed due to a substantial cut…
Following a note exchange between Japan's Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and her Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in Tokyo in December…
Korean Air unveils new eco-friendly uniforms for maintenance, aerospace, cargo, and ground handling employees, to be rolled out from April…
Rheinmetall House in Bristol, UK, has officially opened as the new headquarters for Vehicle Systems International (VSI), following its recent…
SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) wishes to announce that it has agreed with Pratt and Whitney (PW) to exit from…
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has entered into a multi-year engine services agreement with Indian regional airline FLY91 for the…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully completed the maiden flight of the first Series Production Tejas Mk-1A light fighter (LA5033).…
Fincantieri and the Indonesian Ministry of Defence signed a 1.18-billion-euro contract for the supply of two Thaon di Revel-class Multipurpose…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.