Tri-Service

VIDEO: Kamikaze Drone Morphs Into Missile

Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) have developed a drone that can transform from surveillance craft to missile at the touch of a button.

The Harop drone is classed as "loitering munition", meaning that it can remain aloft for several hours before locking onto a target, then lowering its trajectory and eliminating the target kamikaze-style, as featured in the video below.

HAROP, with a warhead of 15kg, can be used in a range of battle scenarios, including low and high intensity conflict, urban warfare and counter-terror operations.

Commenting on the latest HAROP flights, Boaz Levi, IAI corporate vice president and general manager of the Systems, Missiles & Space Group said,

“There is no doubt that HAROP gives its users significant operational advantages. We consider HAROP as a leading system with considerable sales potential.”

The MoD-backed British equivalent, by MBDA, is the Complex Weapon: Fire Shadow.

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Fire Shadow was listed in the National Audit Office's 2014 Major Projects Report as being among the 11 largest equipment projects where the Ministry of Defence has taken the main decision to invest, but the MoD is yet to decide on the future of the project.

Kamikaze Drone Morphs Into Missile

Fire Shadow loitering munition trial March 2012

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UK Complex Weapons - MBDA Fire Shadow loitering munition test impact on SUV