On the occasion of AUSA 2021, the Israeli company UVision Air Ltd. debuted its new HERO Multi-Canister Launcher (MCL), capable of launching all types of HERO loitering ammunition from a single platform. The new launcher allows responders to use the most appropriate HERO system, depending on the mission and context, to ensure the greatest possible success of the mission.
With this, the manufacturer wants to increase the flexibility of its systems and the emergency services. Thanks to the new launcher, all sizes of Loitering ammunition can be used, from the smaller Hero-30 for "surgical" attacks, to the Hero-120 for medium-sized and armored targets, to the Hero-400 for long-range targets with heavy protection .
The MCL can also be permanently installed on platforms such as 4×4 land vehicles or boats and, according to the manufacturer, offers increased flexibility without having to commit to a type of ammunition and thus range or target type when integrating the system.
Das MCL ist für die modulare Anpassung an verschiedene Plattformen konzipiert, von leichten oder geschützten Landfahrzeugen bis hin zu kleinen, mittleren und großen Wasserfahrzeugen, bemannt oder autonom. Die Möglichkeit, die HERO-Loitering-Munitionsarten in einem vorgeladenen, versiegelten Kanister zu lagern, zu transportieren und abzufeuern, erhöht überdies die Gefechtsbereitschaft.
"UVision was recently awarded a contract to supply the United States Marine Corps with Hero-120 loitering ammunition and multi-canister launchers for its Organic Precision Fire Mounted (OPF-M) program," said Jim Truxel, CEO of UVision USA . As part of this project, the MCLs would be installed on different platforms.
The HERO ammunition family consists of eight ammunition systems designed for different missions at different distances and with different payloads. The HERO systems are designed as sensor-to-shooter loitering munitions systems that enable combat forces on the battlefield to independently and quickly locate and track time-sensitive targets and engage them with the utmost precision. Each type of ammunition is suitable for different applications.
According to the manufacturer, the HERO design also enables precision hits in urban areas or in remote locations with minimal collateral damage. The systems have a mission-abandon ability, after which they can be recalled and redirected to another target. An on-board retrieval system ensures use for later use. The systems are quiet and have a low thermal signature. They are equipped with stabilized electro-optical day/night cameras and are suitable for use from air, land and sea platforms.
Andre Forkert
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