DSEI 2023 IAI: Unveils Its New VTOL Loitering Munition called ROTEM Alpha
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), one of Israel’s leading defense industry companies, unveiled the Rotem Alpha, its newest solution in the field of loitering munitions, for the first time at the DSEI 2023 fair, held in London between 12-15 September.
Rotem Alpha is a Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) Tactical Loitering Munition and the newest member of IAI’s loitering munition family, which also includes the Harpy, Harop, Mini-Harpy, and ROTEM L systems. The system in question was developed in order to meet the current requirements of the modern battlefield and is based on the ROTEM L loitering munition, which has proven itself in many combat situations since 2019 and has been exported to many countries.
Rotem Alpha, which the company claims represents a revolution in the operational and combat approach to the use of loitering munitions, appears to differ from its predecessor in size, weight, payload capacity, sensor suite, and the anti-tank warhead it can carry. The new system, with a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg, has a sensor array which includes a multi-sensor Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) camera and a multi-acoustic transducer. Rotem Alpha uses these sensors to autonomously detect and locate hostile fire sources such as artillery, rocket and missile launchers. The system then approaches the target at the operator’s command and neutralizes armored targets thanks to its anti-tank warhead, which can pierce armor up to 600mm thick. If necessary, Rotem Alpha, which can be used by a variety of forces in a wide range of operations, can also be outfitted with a fragmentation warhead.
ROTEM Alpha, which may be carried by an infantryman with a backpack or deployed from a vehicle, can be ready for take-off in less than two minutes. In the air and while parked in perch mode, ROTEM Alpha offers long mission endurance and a range of tens of kilometers. As a VTOL platform, it may also be launched and landed among trees, structures, and other difficult terrain. After ROTEM Alpha is launched, if the Operator does not select a target or cannot find a suitable environment for the attack, he can cancel the mission and the system can be recovered.