LAHAT

LAHAT
LAHAT ATGM quad pack for helicopters
Type	ATGM
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1992–present
Used by	See operators
Production history
Unit cost	$25,000 (1999)
Specifications
Weight	13 kg (28.7 lb)
Length	975 mm (38.4 in)
Diameter	105 mm (4.1 in)
Warhead	Tandem HEAT
Warhead weight	10 kg (22.0 lb)
Operational range	6,000–8,000 m (6,600–8,700 yd) ground launched 8,000–13,000 m (8,700–14,200 yd) air launched
Speed	285–300 m/s (940–980 ft/s)
Guidance system	Semi-Active Laser Homing
Launch platform	105–120 mm smoothbore rotary-wing aircraft

The LAHAT (Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-Tank, also a Hebrew word for incandescence) is a third generation semi-active laser homing low-weight anti-tank guided missile developed since 1992 and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. It was designed primarily to be fired by Merkava tanks' 105 mm and 120 mm tank guns, though it matches all types of 105 mm and 120 mm guns, including low recoil guns and low-weight guns of military armoured cars. It is also suitable for patrol ships, possibly modified for 105–106 mm recoilless rifles, UAVs, HMMWVs, and SPAAGs. Unlike other tank rounds, LAHAT does not need a tank gun for operation.

The LAHAT is designed to achieve a 95 percent probability of kill under most conditions. It has a semi-active laser guidance system, capable of both direct and indirect laser designation—the target can be laser-designated by the launching platform (e.g. firing tank) or other platform (e.g. another tank, helicopter, UAV, or forward scouting team), requiring minimal exposure in the firing position. With a low launch signature, the missile’s trajectory can be set to match either top attack (armoured fighting vehicle, warship) or direct attack (helicopter gunship) engagements.

The LAHAT missile has a range of up to 8,000 m (5.0 mi) when launched from a ground platform, and up to 13,000 m (8.1 mi) when deployed from high elevation. The time of flight to a target at 4,000 m (2.5 mi) is 14 seconds and the missile hits the target at an accuracy of 0.7 m (2.3 ft) CEP and an angle of over 30 degrees, providing effective penetration of up to 800 mm (31 in) of RHA armor steel with its tandem warhead to deal with add-on reactive armor. LAHAT might also carry embedded active protection system countermeasure capabilities. In any tank the LAHAT is stowed like other rounds in the ammunition rack, and handled just like any other type of ammunition.