Harpy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

[IceCold]

I dont know if this has been posted here ealier or not but certainly worth a read and maybe a future need for this in the PA.



The PLA acquired an unknown number of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Harpy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in 1994. The deal was not revealed until late 2004, when Washington was reported to have pressured the Israeli government to ‘roll back’ its defence relations with China. According to the reports, the U.S. intelligence spotted the PLA deploying Harpy UAV in its joint exercise held near the Taiwan Strait in 2004.

The Harpy UAV is a unique weapon system with features of both UAV and cruise missile. The system is designed to detect, attack and destroy enemy radar. Launched from ground vehicle or surface ship far away from the battle zone, the UAV flies autonomously to the patrol area. The UAV’s radar seeker constantly search for hostile radar signal. Once the enemy radar is detected, the system can automatically compare the signal with its database and prioritise the threat of the target. Once the enemy radar is verified, the UAV make a near vertical dive to the target and destroy it with its high explosive warhead. The warhead is set to detonate just above the target to maximise the damage. The smart UAV can also abort the attack and continue loitering if enemy radar signal disappears during the attack.

The PLA has reportedly returned some of its Harpy UAV back to Israel in 2004 to be upgraded with new seekers that enable visual identification and attack of target even after the enemy radar emitter is turned off. This would further enhance the PLA’s capabilities in UAV and anti-radiation warfare. The PLA may also uses the Harpy technology to improve the performance of its own designs.

Specifications

Length: 2.1m
Wingspan: 2.7m
Weight: 135kg
Range: 500km

Harpy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - SinoDefence.com

 

[echo 1]

Yah I read something about this weapon/uav a while back. I have to say it is very ingenious. It can take on the role of a much larger cruise missile but for much less. I thing China got bang for its buck. literly

 

[IceCold]

Yah I read something about this weapon/uav a while back. I have to say it is very ingenious. It can take on the role of a much larger cruise missile but for much less. I thing China got bang for its buck. literly

Yeah indeed its a very effective weapon performing both roles for an UAV and a cruise missile. Consider its possibility flying over the FATA region, it traces Mehsud, so without waisting time signaling it back to the base it can strike on its target thus completely eliminating the chance for the militant to get a hint and get out before army launches operation.
The purpose of pasting of this rather old article was actually that i was looking for some input from the senior members over this weapon system and its possible role in the Pakistan army. Seems like every one is busy these days.

 

[echo 1]

here is some info and pic on it from sinodefence. I have ot say Israel did a good job with it. It is such a simple design but so effective.

Harpy Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - SinoDefence.com

 

[Indicom]

It's in service with IA too.

 

[Contrarian]

Harpy doesnt track individuals. Consider it as something like an autonomous H/ARM. You launch it in a designated area, and the point is, it wants to get tracked, once it acquires that it is being tracked, it goes to the radar and destroys it. Newer versions lock on even if the radar shuts down, Harpy locks on the previous signal, apart from visual confirmation and numerous other things. Very useful is SEAD/DEAD.

Indian Army has also bought Harpy.