Hero-120 loitering munitions to be made in US
The US Marine Corps has ordered Hero-120 loitering munitions. (Photo: UVision)
Hero-120, a loitering munition system fitted with a 4.5kg warhead, has been designed to carry out strikes against mid-range targets. In June 2021, the US Marine Corps announced the Hero-120 had been selected for its Organic Precision Fire Mounted (OPF-M) programme.
Israeli company UVision and SAIC (Science Applications International Corp) have signed an agreement to manufacture the Hero-120 loitering munition system at the latter’s facility in South Carolina, US.
The collaboration with SAIC will be aimed at establishing a fully independent domestic supply chain, ensuring that UVision’s US clients benefit from reduced dependency on international supply chains, faster delivery times, local training by expert teams and comprehensive post-sale support and maintenance.
The Hero-120 system is a mid-range, anti-tank system providing high-precision strikes against anti-armour, anti-material and anti-personnel targets including tanks, vehicles and soft targets in urban environments. It has been designed to cause minimal collateral damage and equipped with a range of multi-purpose warheads.
Major General (Ret) Avi Mizrachi, chairman of board of directors of Uvision USA, said: “Our collaboration with SAIC stems from the need to provide a complete solution to our US clients, independent of the international supply chain. The manufacturing facility itself will commence operations [this month].”
Neither the US Marine Corps nor UVision disclosed the quantity purchased or the contract value under OPF-M. Based on various data, Shephard Defence Insight has conservatively estimated that 800 units were acquired for US$162 million.
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS]()
US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS
The US Army plans to procure a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow tactical UAV currently in service with the US Army's Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). The FTUAS is being developed under the wider Future UAS (FUAS) programme.
-
![Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal]()
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
![Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million]()
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
![Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans]()
Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans
The Russia–Ukraine war has continued to be the place the world’s militaries have been watching for lessons on both the EW and uncrewed front. Its conventional war aspect, however, has also been catching the attention of leaders.
-
![The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions]()
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
