Long-Range Artillery Weapon System (LORA) is a precision strike tactical ballistic missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) MALAM division.
The missile is a long-range sea-to-ground and ground-to-ground weapon system used for destroying targets deep in enemy territory. It can be launched to attack both fixed and movable targets as well as infrastructure assets.
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IAI’s Systems, Missiles & Space Group’s missile portfolio also includes the Barak 8, Arrow 2 and 3 missile systems.
LORA missile development
The LORA weapon system was unveiled at the Eurosatory event held in France in 2006. The missile made its first public appearance at the Paris Air Show in 2007. IAI conducted successful operational firing trials of the artillery weapon system in June 2017.
Azerbaijan purchased the LORA weapon system, which was displayed during an opening ceremony of a new military unit in June 2018.
In June 2020, IAI completed a dual operational firing trial of the LORA ballistic missile in the open sea. The trail involved the firing of two missiles against a pre-defined target in the sea and was performed in cooperation with Israel’s Navy, Air Force, and Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Design and features of LORA missile
LORA missile system has a length of 5.2m, a diameter of 625mm and weight of 1,600kg. It can engage targets at a short range of 90km and at long ranges up to 430km.
The weapon system mainly comprises a long-range ballistic missile and a launcher along with a command and control system, and a ground/marine support system. It can accurately hit a range of targets including tactical surface-to-surface missiles (SSM), air bases, multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) units, air and missile defence units, and command posts.
One of the main features of the missile is its survivability in flight due to supersonic velocity and shaped trajectory flight mode. It provides improved response time and greater precision and can be operated at any time without weather or visibility constraints.
The maintenance cost of the missile is very low as it is housed in a sealed canister. It can be easily transported as it requires very small deck space during its maritime operations. Four sealed missiles can be carried on a 16t flatbed truck for ground operations. The affordable solution offers 360° full range coverage.
Launch and deployment of LORA missile
LORA missile system can be fired from either mobile or maritime platforms. The missile launch is carried out from an operational system including a command trailer and ground launcher. It can be deployed very quickly and offers shoot and scoot capability, with shoot time of ten minutes from movement to fire and scoot time of three minutes from fire to movement.
The artillery weapon system provides increased battalion firepower with 48 missiles on ready to fire launchers. An additional 48 missiles can be carried on reload vehicles and the reloading can be completed in less than 60 minutes. The launchers can together fire 48 missiles within two minutes to attack time-sensitive and time-critical targets.
LORA missile warhead
The missile is capable of offering ballistic assault capabilities with an accuracy of 10m circular error probable (CEP). It is equipped with a variety of warheads including multi-purpose, blast fragmentation, and penetration.
The weapon can provide effective destruction capabilities with fewer munitions.
Guidance and control
LORA weapon system is equipped with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and inertial navigation system (INS) to guide it to the target. It is also supported by TV for terminal guidance. The missile uses a shaped trajectory flight mode and navigates to its target to engage at an angle between 60° and 90°.
Propulsion
The propulsion system of the missile includes a single-stage solid rocket motor and integrates all-electric drives with no hydraulics.
