Iron Sting’s Precision Counters Tunnel-Shafts

The events of October 2023 leading to the breaking of the “Iron Swords” War have put Israel and the IDF in a very complex reality: conducting extensive ground operations in the Gaza Strip, managing escalating tensions along its northern borders, and countering missile and advanced munition threats originating from the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

To address these significant military challenges, Israel has equipped its forces with advanced munitions to maintain tactical superiority on the ground and enhance the maneuverability of its units in challenging environments. The Iron Sting, a precision-guided mortar munition developed by Elbit Systems and already in use by the Israeli army, stands out as a key asset in this arsenal.

Light and Precise

The Iron Sting is a 120-millimeter (nearly 5 inches) mortar shell with a weight of 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds), designed for precise engagement and neutralization of targets within a range of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). It is capable of breaching fortifications with up to 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) of concrete. Featuring a user-friendly fire control system, the Iron Sting streamlines the firing sequence, taking just 15 seconds from data entry to launch.

What makes the Iron Sting stand out are its features, which are specifically designed to counteract the prevalent shortcomings of earlier mortar models.

“By integrating GPS and laser targeting technologies, we have achieved a level of precision that is highly reliable,” states Liraz, Head of the Mortars, Munition, and Precision Guided Munition (PGM) Sector at Elbit System’s Land systems Division.

The Iron Sting saw its initial deployment during the 2021 operation “Guardian of the Walls”, serving as a pre-operational test. Today, its official implementation is underway as the IDF’s ground troops employ this munition against terrorist infrastructures in the Gaza Strip.

“The Iron Sting is among the most efficient and precise mortars on the market today,” says Liraz. “It offers an operational advantage in all weather conditions and is significantly lighter than its predecessors and other products available.”

A Massive Leap in the Field of Ground Munitions

After years spent as an infantry instructor in the IDF, with a specialization in mortar operations, Liraz ‘s career naturally progressed to the role of a business development officer at Elbit Systems’ Land Division. During the interview for this article, she was overseeing an experiment at a training facility, closely monitoring the advancement of her projects.

“My role demands continuous vigilance to our customers’ needs,” she explains. “It’s crucial that we do not become complacent, but instead constantly evolve with the pulse of the market — both within the IDF and globally.”

She notes that the development of the Iron Sting spanned more than five years, culminating in Elbit Systems’ acquisition of IMI (Israeli Military Industries) in late 2018. “This strategic move propelled Elbit Systems forward in the realm of ground munitions, integrating the extensive expertise from IMI.”

Destroying Tunnel Shafts and Enemy Rocket Launchers

In combat within densely populated urban areas, the precision and power of a mortar are vital to a maneuvering battalion: windows in tall buildings, rooftops, street corners, and narrow alleyways can all become lethal to troops. For a force to successfully navigate such difficult terrains, the support of a responsive mortar squad with high-precision capabilities is indispensable.

Liraz emphasizes the lessons learned from previous conflicts where ground forces maneuvered within the densely populated urban environments of the Gaza Strip. “There was a paramount need for precise and agile munitions capable of neutralizing Hamas and Islamic Jihad tunnel shafts without the need to coordinate with a rear command center,” she explains.

“We required a solution that could be immediately activated by the troops themselves, allowing for an instant response to an identified terrorist tunnel pit before the enemy could emerge, or to destroy an enemy rocket launcher before it could be fired at Israeli civilians.”

The Iron Sting enables tactical artillery engagement without the delay associated with calling in aerial support from fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or relying on distant ground artillery. “The Iron Sting resolves these tactical dilemmas, serving as a replacement for the less precise munitions previously in use,” Liraz adds.

Changing the Battle

Customers around the globe are keenly observing the Iron Sting’s performance in the Iron Swords War. “It alters our perception of the modern battlefield,” says Liraz. “In collaboration with the IDF, we are committed to enhancing its efficacy, aiming for even greater precision and lethality.”

Liraz adds that even today, beyond the dense fog of war, she gets great feedback on the Iron Sting’s performance from the forces out in the field. “It was a very long and challenging development process with many technological barriers we had to traverse, but all in all, receiving such good feedback makes me feel content,” she admits. “I can sleep quietly knowing that our troops are using an excellent product that can help them achieve victory on the battlefield.”

The content of the article does not constitute business or financial information about Elbit Systems Ltd. (the “Company”) and is not intended to be a basis for making investment decisions in the Company’s securities. In order to obtain business or financial information about the Company, please refer to the reports and filings that the Company regularly publishes on the website of the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) and on the notification system of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (Maya). 

The article may contain forward-looking statements such as estimates, forecasts, estimates, plans, etc. that refer to future events that are considered forward-looking information as defined under the securities laws of Israel and the United States. There is no certainty that such information will be realized, in whole or in part, and the actual result may differ from what was presented in the article, among other things due to its dependence on external factors that are not under the control of the Company and that cannot be evaluated in advance. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s estimates at the time of publication, and the Company has no obligation to update or correct this data.