The Israeli Navy’s new SAAR 6 corvettes were recently equipped with the Lora long range missile that enable them to attack targets in ranges of up to 500 km.
Developed by IAI’s MALAM division, Lora is a sea-to-ground and ground-to-ground system which comprises a long-range ballistic missile, a unique launcher, a command and control system, and a ground/marine support system. The Lora system provides ballistic assault capabilities for multiple ranges with a precision level of 10 meters CEP. The Lora is 5 meters long and has a diameter of 60 cm. It is armed with different types of warheads with an average weight of 200 kg.
The four “Saar 6” type missile ships were built in Germany and equipped with 20 combat systems – most of them made in Israel. These systems enable the advanced warships to perform more versatile missions in the Mediterranean and in other seas and oceans.
The Saar 6 corvettes carry a combined air defence system, comprised of the Barak -8 and the C-Dome. The navy says that the use of both systems will be defined by the threat.
“In some scenarios both interceptors will be launched, ” a source said.
The Saar 6 corvettes are mainly designed to protect the Israel EEZ that includes the huge gas reservoirs in the Mediterranean. These are very high in the target bank of the Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Barak-8 is made by Israel aerospace industries (IAI). According to company, the Barak 8 provides protection against a variety of aerial platforms and munitions including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and sea-skimming missiles. It is based on a sophisticated missile (developed in collaboration with Rafael), state-of-the-art phased array multi mission radar, two-way data link, and flexible command and control system.
Barak-8’s radar, manufactured by IAI subsidiary ELTA Systems, is a multi-mission radar that supports air defence missions. It delivers an accurate, high quality, real-time arena situation picture and extracts low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets even in the toughest environmental conditions. It is a digital Active Electronic Steering Array (AESA) Radar System that incorporates new and advanced technologies.
Barak 8 can operate day and night, in all weather conditions, and successfully deals with simultaneous threats engagements, even in severe saturation scenarios. The system has a very short reaction time and a fast missile vertical launch capability with 360 degree coverage. The system optimizes the coordination between the missile and batteries by using an advanced broadband communication network. The missile deals with short, medium, and long range threats, where its interconnectivity among the various ships in the naval task force enables it to be a multi-layer air and missile defence System of Systems.
A typical ship installation includes 4 vertical launchers each carrying 8 missiles. The Barak-8 has an effective range of 43 miles. IAI has developed an extended range version. This one has an add on booster that extends the range of the missile to 93 miles.
The C-Dome Naval defence system is made by Rafael and is based on the combat proven Iron Dome and designed to effectively protect combat vessels against a large set of modern threats. C-Dome handles saturation attacks by engaging multiple targets simultaneously. Reaction time, according to Rafael, is very short and enables automatic and semi-automatic engagements.
C-Dome components include a multi-round launcher assembly loaded with vertically-launched canistered interceptors. The launcher is installed under the ship’s deck. C-Dome utilizes the ship’s own surveillance radar and does not require a dedicated Fire Control Radar. Weapon System Command and Control is seamlessly integrated with the ship’s combat management system, facilitating system operation. C-Dome uses the combat-proven Iron Dome interceptor that has already achieved more than 1500 successful intercepts. Rafael says that the Interceptors are maintenance-free, and are stored in a sea-proof canister. Up to 8 interceptors can be loaded into a modular Vertical Launcher Unit.
The mix of systems that has been installed is classified , but it can be said that these systems will enable the SAAR -6 to operate jointly with the new Dolphin – acquired by the Israeli navy and with different aerial platforms like the Sea Hawk helicopters that the new missile ships will carry and some unmanned aerial systems.
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