Indian Army Tender: In a bid to boost infantry’s strike capabilities with pinpoint accuracy, the Indian Army has initiated the procurement process for 100 loiter munition systems. It is expected to issue the final tender by September 2020 with the delivery of loiter munition systems within 18 months of the contract.
According to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Directorate of Infantry of the Indian Army on March 6, the loiter munitions will be used by the infantry to execute pinpoint strike following a surveillance of the target.
Indian Army said the loiter munition should be able to operate at a range of not less than 15 kilometers.
The system should be able to loiter above the target, detect targets, enable real time decision making and carry out destruction of the target.
“The system should be light weight, man portable and easy for a soldier to carry and operate. The loiter munition system should be able to operate at a flight endurance of at least 30 minutes and a range of not less than 15 km (Line of Sight),” Indian Army said in the request for information.
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Indian Army seeks loiter munition system
1. It should be controlled by a ground controller with a data link established with the loiter munition system.
2. It should have warhead(s) to destroy personnel and soft skinned targets.
3. It should be able to detect targets by day and night (thermal capable).
4. The system should function in all weather conditions.
The loiter munition system should be capable of providing the desired performance across all spectrum of employment in the Indian terrain and climatic conditions.
The total weight of the loiter munition system should not more than 20 kg and it should be operable with one or two person(s).
IAI’s Harop Loitering Munition System.
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The vendor is required to provide one loiter munition with complete set of sensor package mounted on the loiter munition system (with day and night capability) along with one ground control station to include ruggedized handheld display, communication system, antenna and tripod.
The ground control station should be able to control multiple loiter munitions. The loiter munition system should be able to operate up to an altitude of 4,500 meter (Above Mean Sea Level) and not less than 300 meter (Above Ground Level).
Loiter Munition Manufacturers
While Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) manufactures Harop Loiter Munition Systems, the US defence and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin can also offer Fire Shadow Loitering Munition System to Indian Army.
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon‘s joint development XM501 Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System is another option.
Fire Shadow Loitering Munition System.
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