Artillery Gets an EXTRA Boost
With high accuracy and flexibility, Predator Hawk, EXTRA, and Accular rockets give commanders new ways to strike precisely and minimize collateral damage.
Precision and adaptability are now an important component of battlefield superiority. Artillery has evolved from blunt force into a surgical tool, capable of consistently striking precisely where it matters.
Elbit Systems has positioned itself at the forefront of this evolution with an innovative suite of guided rockets – Predator Hawk, EXTRA, and Accular – each engineered to deliver precise firepower across diverse ranges and mission profiles.
According to a senior business unit manager overseeing Elbit’s international artillery programs, these rockets have become the preferred choice for nations both within and beyond NATO – countries seeking precision, flexibility, and reliability in their strategic arsenals.
One Launcher, Multiple Missions
At the core of this capability is Elbit’s versatile PULS launcher – engineered to support a variety of munitions, giving militaries operational flexibility. Each rocket is delivered in specialized pods, allowing for fast reloading and seamless configuration to meet specific mission needs.
The Accular system, designed for precision strikes up to 35 kilometers, is loaded with 18 rockets per pod. For longer ranges, the EXTRA rockets can reach up to 150 kilometers, with four per pod. At the highest end of the spectrum, Predator Hawk rockets extend to 300 kilometers, housed two per pod. This modular design allows commanders to mix and match munitions, helping forces to adapt swiftly to evolving battlefield conditions.
Precision Across Every Range
Elbit’s guided rockets achieve an impressive Circular Error Probability (CEP) of just 10 meters – placing them among the most accurate systems worldwide. This level of precision reduces the risk of collateral damage, an important advantage on modern battlefields where civilian populations and infrastructure are often interwoven with military targets.
Each rocket type can also be equipped with either fragmentation or penetration warheads, allowing forces to tailor their response to different target types. Whether striking reinforced structures or engaging dispersed enemy units, commanders can choose their ideal warhead to accomplish mission objectives while minimizing unintended damage.
Strategic Freedom, Tactical Edge
One of the key advantages of Elbit’s guided rockets is their ability to ease strategic burdens traditionally shouldered by air forces. As the senior manager explains, precise long-range artillery helps ground units to strike high-value targets on their own, reducing reliance on fighter jets and freeing air power for other critical missions.
This capability doesn’t just add firepower – it expands firing options and accelerates response times. For example, the Predator Hawk rocket can reach its maximum range in around eight minutes at supersonic speed, giving commanders a rapid-response tool that can influence strategic outcomes almost immediately after a threat is detected.
Rediscovering the Power of Artillery
After years of relative neglect, artillery is making a strong comeback as militaries worldwide recognize its renewed value – especially in prolonged conflicts. Modern battlefields demand both traditional massed fire and pinpoint precision, and Elbit’s guided munitions deliver exactly that balance.
“Precision artillery has advanced dramatically,” says the business unit manager. “These rockets – thanks to their accuracy and range – give commanders power not only at the tactical level, but also operationally and even strategically. They shift the dynamics of warfare, granting capabilities once reserved for air forces.”
As warfare increasingly demands agility and precision, Elbit Systems’ Predator Hawk, EXTRA, and Accular rockets demonstrate how advanced munitions are adjusting strategic thinking – giving commanders more control over the modern battlefield.
