The HAROP UAV is a loitering munition, or “kamikaze drone,” developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It’s designed as a standoff, electro-optically guided attack weapon, capable of precisely targeting static or moving targets. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Function: The HAROP is a loitering munition, meaning it can stay airborne for extended periods, searching for and engaging targets.
Guidance: It uses electro-optical (EO) sensors, allowing operators to select targets detected by the aircraft.
Control: The HAROP operates using a man-in-the-loop control mode, where a remote mission operator can control the aircraft and select targets. Endurance and Range: It has an endurance of over 6 hours of flight and a range of 200 km.
Evolution: The HAROP evolved from the HARPY, which used a Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, whereas the HAROP uses an electro-optical sensor.
Operator Countries: The HAROP is used by several nations’ Air Forces.