At AeroIndia, IMI Reveals New Weapons
(Source: Israel Military Industries; issued Feb. 6, 2003)
[With thanks to http://www.defense-aerospace.com/ ]

Long Range, More Lethal, Deep Strike, Pinpoint Accuracy Ammunition for
Fighter Aircraft - Causing Only Limited Collateral Damage

At this year's AeroIndia, Israel Military Industries (IMI) is revealing
two of its latest generation, in-house developed weapon systems. MSOV is a
standoff, air launched, deep strike dispenser, equipped with an advanced
navigation system, and capable of deploying a variety of unique long-range
submunitions. PB500 is a laser-guided bunker blaster and hard target bomb,
with pinpoint accuracy and capable of penetrating 2 m of concrete.

Focusing on sophisticated solutions that meet the operational demands
of worldwide armed forces, IMI's arsenal at the exhibition includes lethal
ammunition, with pinpoint strike accuracy, causing only limited collateral
damage. Most armed conflicts today are characterized by small enemy forces
strategically deployed among innocent civilian populations.

IMI is the only defense industry in the world whose systems experts and
engineers have succeeded in developing a self-destructing mechanism, which
leaves a totally clean area, protecting the lives of civilians and combat
forces operating in the area. To date, IMI has sold 60 million submunition
units with self-destruct fuzes.

At the exhibition, IMI will be lifting the curtain on the PB500 - one
of its latest innovations, and the fruit of IMI Central Laboratory
engineers. Equipped with a laser-guided system specially developed by Elbit
Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries, this smart bomb is designed for use
with advanced systems such as JDAM and Paveway. The PB500 hard target
blaster penetrates 2 meters of concrete. Its uniqueness is that its
operational performance is similar to bombs weighing twice as much. The
warhead's guidance system enables military bunkers, headquarters and other
hard targets to be destroyed with pinpoint accuracy.

Another unique IMI development revealed for the first time, MSOV is a
weapon system launched from combat aircraft for air-to-ground missions aimed
at a variety of targets deep within enemy territory. MSOV and IMI's ITALD
and Delilah offer deep strike capabilities while keeping aircraft far from
the reach of enemy anti-aircraft missiles - thus lowering the danger to
pilots, aircrews and the aircraft itself. The MSOV dispenser is capable of
autonomous gliding in accordance with a preprogrammed gliding profile.

With a range of over 100 km, it can strike tank and infantry targets,
airfields, and a wide range of military installations deep inside enemy
territory. MSOV can deploy numerous submunitions and is equipped with an
advanced, highly accurate navigation system. Developed by IMI 's (Missiles
Unit) engineers, it reflects the synergy between the Missiles Unit and IMI's
Ammunition Group, which is exhibiting a large range of ammunition whose
accuracy the MSOV dispenser will enhance, including bombs that destroy
airfield runways.

This IMI-developed, unique, extremely powerful cluster bomb is launched
from combat aircraft to strike infantry forces and destroy armored fighting
vehicles. The bomb's submunitions are equipped with a self-destroying
mechanism which reduces the danger to "friendly" forces in the area and to
civilians including children who might be harmed by unexploded bombs or
shells. At the same time, the bomb enhances the "kill" potential of a single
fighter aircraft, provides air crews with flexibility in selecting targets
and is highly effective against all ground forces: infantry, tanks, and
every type of artillery vehicle. ATAP conforms with NATO standards.

Launched by combat aircraft, RAM contains dozens of air-dispersed
bomblets and is designed to totally demolish enemy air fields by "drilling
holes" the length and width of the runways. Vastly enhancing the lethality
of a single combat aircraft, RAM enables it to hit its target and immobilize
the air field for long stretches of time.

IMI is also exhibiting air-to-ground systems and long range precision
guided ammunition, equipped with decoys that evade radar systems, thus
enabling air crews to fight from a safe distance. These systems offer high
levels of survivability in today's lethal combat arena.

Delilah is an air-to-ground missile launched from combat aircraft or
helicopters. With an operational range of 250 km, it enables targets to be
hit with pinpoint accuracy. Its navigation and guidance system and precision
capability allow Delilah to meet air strike mission objectives while
avoiding hits on civilians.

Developed for the US Navy, ITALD is an advanced version of IMI's
combat-proven TALDs, which repeatedly demonstrated their operational
capability during the Gulf War - creating safe corridors for US and allied
aircraft on route to Iraqi targets. ITALD is a sophisticated decoy with the
ability to saturate enemy radar screens and divert enemy anti-aircraft
activity - through the use of electronic warfare techniques. It can be
launched from most fighters without any modification to the aircraft's
on-board avionics. ITALD glides along a variety of preprogrammed mission
maneuvers. With a 250 km range, ITALD offers a number of features: variable
altitude of 500 - 30,000 ft, multiple way-point trajectory, launch and
forget concept, multiple carriage on standard bomb racks, and a
terrain-following capability. By serving as a decoy, ITALD exposes enemy
anti-aircraft batteries, enabling them to be destroyed.

IMI is also exhibiting AIRMOR - an add-on protection suite for attack
helicopters and aircraft, developed by IMI - Rocket Systems Division's
engineers. AIRMOR detects an approaching missile and activates the
appropriate countermeasure - in a fully automatic process. The system
comprises sensors, subsystems and a central computer, which processes the
data as well as countermeasures including a jammer and chaff/flare
dispensing system.

-ends-