LAHAT | |
---|---|
Type | ATGM |
Place of origin | Israel |
Service history | |
In service | 1991–present |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries |
Unit cost | $25,000 (1999)[1] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 13 kg (28.7 lb)[2] |
Length | 975 mm (38.4 in) |
Diameter | 105 mm (4.1 in)[2] |
Warhead | Tandem HEAT |
Warhead weight | 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) |
Operational range | 6,000–8,000 m (6,600–8,700 yd) ground launched 8,000–13,000 m (8,700–14,200 yd) air launched[2] |
Maximum speed | 285–300 m/s (940–980 ft/s) |
Guidance system | Semi-active laser homing[2] |
Launch platform | 105–120 mm smoothbore rotary-wing aircraft |
The LAHAT (laser homing attack or laser homing anti-tank, also a Hebrew word for incandescence) is a third generation semi-active laser homing low-weight anti-tank guided missile developed since 1991 and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. It has a tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. It was designed primarily to be fired by Merkava tanks' 105 mm and 120 mm tank guns, though it matches all types of 105 mm and 120 mm guns, including low recoil guns and low-weight guns of military armoured cars.[2]
It is also suitable for patrol ships, possibly modified for 105–106 mm recoilless rifles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs), and self-propelled anti-aircraft weapons (or guns, SPAAGs).[2] Unlike other tank rounds, an LAHAT does not need a tank gun for operation.[3]