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Short-range ballistic missile
The LORA is an Israeli ballistic missile that can be launched from a variety of platforms
LORA on KamAZ-6350 chassis
Entered service 2007 (?)
Crew ?
Launcher dimensions and weight
Number of missiles 4
Weight ~ 25 t
Length ~ 9 m
Width ~ 2.5 m
Height ~ 3 m
Missile
Missile length 4.7 or 5.2 m
Missile diameter 0.62 m
Missile launch weight 1 600 or 1 800 kg
Warhead weight 440 or 600 kg
Warhead type Conventional (Submunitions or HE)
Range of fire 250 - 300 km
CEP 10 m
Mobility
Engine KamAZ-740.50.360 diesel
Engine power 360 hp
Maximum road speed 90 km/h
Range 1 000 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.6 m
Trench 0.6 - 1.4 m
Fording 1.2 m
The LORA (shorthand for "LOng Range Attack") is a tactical missile developed in Israel. It was first announced in 2003, first publicly revealed in 2006 at the Eurosatory exposition, and first displayed in public at the 2007 Paris Air Show.
This weapon is a short-range "quasi-ballistic" missile system, in that the missile follows a ballistic trajectory to the target, but performs random or programmed evasive maneuvers while in flight to allay tracking and interception. This is not a new concept, and has been used on theTochka (SS-21 Scarab), MGM-140 ATACMS, DF-21D, and numerous other missiles in the same performance class.
The guidance system of the LORA is internal navigation system with GPS assistance. It may also be steered directly into a target of the operator's choice via TV guidance during the terminal phase. Reportedly, it has significant accuracy, with a CEP of 10 m.
The LORA is launched from a box-shaped, 4-cell launcher that can be mounted on a vehicle flatbed or a trailer. The launcher's motors are all-electric, with no hydraulics. The launcher rests in a carrying position at 0 degrees, and the missiles may be launched at angles from 60 to 90 degrees. The data shown here is for a LORA launcher mounted on a KamAZ-6350 8x8 heavy utility truck chassis (which is also used for the Lynx MBRL vehicle), which IMI used for demonstration purposes. The LORA has also been demonstrated to launch vertically from warships to attack distant land targets from the sea.
Propelled using a single-stage, solid fuel rocket motor, the LORA has a maximum range of 250 km or 300 km (depending on the warhead; see below), and a minimum range of 30 km. Flight time from launch to impact is advertised as less than 10 minutes.
Two warheads are available; a general-purpose warhead weighing 440 kg, and a 600 kg penetrator warhead for destroying hardened targets. LORAs armed with the larger warhead have a shorter 250 km range.
By design, the LORA can be stored continuously inside its launch container for up to 7 years on-end before maintenance is necessary. The launcher is reloaded by exchanging a spent (or otherwise unfired) launch container for a fresh munition using a reloading vehicle, much like the US-made ATACMS system.
Several sources are conflicting on whether or not the LORA has been deployed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Some sources report, that the LORA entered service with the IDF in 2007, though this has not been confirmed. On the contrary other sources report that the IDF formally terminated the LORA program in 2008, the Israeli Air Force having convinced the government that their aircraft already provided a better long-range attack capability than the LORA would for the Army.
Some sources report, that Indian Army has expressed interest in the LORA, though they want a version capable of hitting targets 500 km away. This change could prove problematic if formally pursued by Israel and/or India, as the LORA would have to be substantially modified to achieve this range, and also because certain treaties tightly restrict the proliferation of ballistic missiles with a range this long. Some sources report, that India has already purchased the LORA, but this claim has not been substantiated.
Israel Aerospace Industries nonetheless continues to market the LORA. It is unknown how many of these missiles were manufactured, nor if any foreign orders were forthcoming. The unit cost has not been formally published. Other than its two basic missile types, there are no known variants of the LORA.
Article by BLACKTAIL
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Video of the LORA tactical missile
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