‘LORA’
The ‘LORA’ (shorthand for ‘Long Range Attack’) is a tactical missile purchased from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
These single-stage, solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic tactical missiles were first developed in 2003. They were successfully tested in the Mediterranean Sea in 2004. The longer-range version of the missile was further tested in 2006. It was revealed at the ‘Eurosatory’ exposition in the same year and first displayed in public at the 2007 Paris Air Show.
LORA missiles are designed to deliver sudden and accurate strikes to particularly important objects in the operational depths of enemy defence, such as HHM batteries, aircraft and helicopters on the ground, reserve and concentration areas of military units, command posts, fire means (artillery and precision fire devices), infrastructure elements (control stations, communications signal nodes, bases, generating sets) and important industrial infrastructure.
Tactical-technical specifications:
Operational range: 30-400 km (varies depending on the warhead);
CEP: 10 m;
Warhead:
HE - 440 kg;
Penetrator - 600 kg;
Operational range of LORA missiles with larger warheads is less than 250 km
Mass: 1.7 t;
Length: 5 m;
Calibre: 610 mm;
Flight elevation: 45 km.
Flight time from launch to impact is advertised as less than 10 minutes. Equipped with a universal launcher, the LORA can launch different missiles from containers of various sizes. The launcher can be mounted on trucks and various versions of warships.
By design, the LORA missiles can be stored continuously inside hermetic launch containers (front line transporter) for up to 7 years on-end before maintenance is necessary. The missile is transported as a set of 5 FLT packages. The LORA missile is guided by an inertial navigation system integrated with GPS throughout flight trajectory.
The missile complex is mounted on a four-axis KamAz-6350 8x8 heavy utility truck chassis with high mobility. This chassis sports high manoeuvring ability off-road and stands out among others for overcoming obstacles.
The LORA is launched from a box-shaped, 4-cell launcher that can be mounted on a vehicle flatbed or a trailer. The launcher’s engines are all-electric, with no hydraulics. The launcher rests in a carrying position at 0 degrees, and the missiles may be launched at angles from 60 to 90 degrees.
The LORA has also been demonstrated to launch vertically from warships to attack distant land targets from the sea.
The guidance system of the LORA is internal navigation system with GPS assistance. The inertial navigation system with integrated GPS enables monitoring the missile movement along the entire flight trajectory, correcting it if necessary. It may also be steered directly into a target of the operator’s choice during the terminal phase. Reportedly, it has significant accuracy, with a CEP of 10 m. ‘Navstar’ navigation system allows achieving high accuracy. The control unit developed by Israel Aerospace Industries reduces the circular error probable to 10 meters due to GPS, TCS and datalink, which makes LORA one of the most accurate missiles of its class.
The missile has several modifications for different purposes. For example, the self-launching small-calibre cumulative missile allows destroying armoured vehicles or aviation at airfield.
The missiles are launched from launcher containers at a vertical position. At the initial stage the flight is regulated and stabilized by four control sensors. Each of the 4 missiles loaded into the LORA launcher can be aimed at different targets in a single strike.
TRLG-230 laser-guided missile system
Tactical-technical specifications:
Calibre: 230 mm
Maximum range: 70 Kilometres
Minimum range: 20 kilometres
Weight: 210 kg
Guidance: GP, GPS-aided INS (Inertial Navigation System), laser seeker
Control: Aerodynamic control with electromechanical actuation system
Propellant type: Composite solid
Warhead weight: 45 kg
Warhead effective radius: over 55 m
Warhead: high explosives, steel ball
Detonation mechanism: point detonating and proximity
Accuracy (CEP): less than 30 m
The TRLG-230 laser-guided missiles, manufactured by Turkish company ‘Roketsan’, are designed to accurately hit targets laser-marked by UAVs. The missile systems allow the army to destroy both moving and still targets with high precision.
The TRLG-230 missiles have been manufactured using both local and national resources. The tests showed the ‘Bayraktar TB2’ UAVS successfully firing at the laser-marked targets. The UAVs operated laser designators manufactured by ‘ASELSAN’. The surface laser pointers can additionally be employed for laser illumination of the target.
The Turkish experts have confirmed that the missile system is cheaper compared to others.
The TRLG-230 missiles have an intensive and effective fire range of 20 to 70 km. The missiles may be launched from ÇNRA, T-122/300, ÇKRA-122/300 rocket launchers manufactured by ‘Roketsan’ or other platforms with compatible interfaces. The missile is built on a four-axle chassis of the KAMAZ-63501 truck and is equipped with the BORA control system.
The 230 mm missiles are insulated against adverse environmental conditions and moisture. The missiles are designed to destroy airports, assembly points, logistics facilities, enemy artillery and air defence systems, command-control and communication hubs and other critical targets.
