Sensor-to-Shooter: Flies Like a UAS, Strikes Like a Missile

Seek-and-destroy missions have long been central to military strategy, aimed at quickly locating and neutralizing enemy assets and threats. Traditionally, these operations involved advanced sensors and combat intelligence, with available and capable forces ready to engage. These missions require rapid engagement and accuracy, where speed and surprise are essential, often putting troops in high-risk situations, including the need to enter enemy territory, find the target, and neutralize it- if it is still there.

As the nature of warfare has changed, so too has the execution of these missions. Modern conflicts, marked by elusive enemies and intricate environments, have necessitated a shift in tactics. Today, the introduction of technologies, such as loitering munitions, has transformed the execution of sensor-to-shooter missions. These tools enable forces to surveil the battlefield from above and strike at the optimal moment.

A Cost-Effective Supplement

This transformation is particularly evident in recent conflicts, such as the Russian-Ukrainian War, where loitering munitions and drones are increasingly employed, providing a cost-effective complement to traditional methods. These systems significantly enhance the success rate of various military operations.

A senior executive from Elbit Systems’ Aerospace division, with over 30 years of experience in special operations and intelligence, highlighted this shift: “Loitering munitions have become a legitimate and proven tool on the battlefield. What was once viewed as a niche capability is now central to military operations around the world.”

Elbit Systems’ SkyStriker strives to redefine this paradigm, leveraging the vast potential of loitering munitions while offering a robust and reliable tool across multiple scenarios. Its ability to locate, acquire, and strike targets with pinpoint accuracy and adapt to rapidly changing battlefield conditions makes it an important asset for defense forces worldwide.

Locating, Acquiring, Striking or Assessing

SkyStriker is a fully autonomous loitering munition (LM) that can locate, acquire, and strike operator-designated targets with a 5 or 10 kg adapted warhead installed inside the fuselage, enabling high-precision performance. With the capability to dive towards targets at speeds exceeding 300 knots, the SkyStriker is challenging to detect and intercept. This makes it a formidable weapon on the modern battlefield, where stealth and precision are paramount.

Its versatility underscores the broader trend of integrating advanced technologies into military strategy. However, not all loitering munitions offer the same level of performance. Many systems used in recent global conflicts are low-cost and lack operational reliability, falling short at times in delivering the precision and effectiveness required in high-stakes situations.

This is where the SkyStriker stands apart.

Unlike other alternatives, it features advanced electro-optical systems and the versatility to perform multiple roles on the battlefield. Whether gathering intelligence, delivering powerful strikes, or providing post-strike assessments (BDA) while finalizing the strike if needed.

Moreover, its quiet electric engine and ability to operate in GPS-denied environments enables stealthy operations, while flexible launch methods – whether from a catapult system or a canister – provide adaptability in diverse combat scenarios and end-users.

Minimizing Collateral Damage

The SkyStriker also has the rare ability to abort missions if necessary. If the situation on the target seems to be changed – such as the sudden appearance of non-involved civilians – the operator can command the munition to return to loitering mode before hitting the target, ready to re-engage when conditions are right. Additionally, it can be safely recovered and reused thanks to an attached parachute, allowing it to provide a full training experience and further enhancing its cost-effectiveness.

Battle Proven and Reliable

A key issue that loitering munitions have addressed is the ability to carry out precision attacks without the high costs associated with expensive ammunition like guided missiles and rockets.

The SkyStriker has already been operationally proven across various combat zones, demonstrating its capabilities in real-world scenarios with different customers.

“When you decide to invest in military capability, one of the main things you want is reliability,” he emphasizes. “Our solution delivers on that front. Sometimes it may cost a bit more, but we believe its potential far surpasses other tools, making it almost incomparable.”

“Failing to adopt and train with these systems means risking obsolescence in modern warfare,” the official concludes. “The urgency to adapt, equip, and embrace new technologies has never been greater, and the SkyStriker is leading this technological revolution.”

As European and global militaries increasingly recognize the importance of integrating loitering munitions into their strategies, tools like the SkyStriker is set to play a central role.

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