Elbit Systems to supply Iron Sting munition to Israeli MoD in $190 million deal
Iron Sting is a precision-guided mortar munition. (Photo: Elbit Systems)
Elbit Systems’ Iron Sting mortar was reported in October last year as being used for the first time in operations against Hamas in Gaza as the country reacted to Hamas attacks inside Israel.
Elbit Systems has been awarded a US$190 million to supply its Iron Sting laser and GPS-guided mortar munition to the Israeli Ministry of Defense under a deal to be completed over next two years.
Iron Sting is a precision-guided mortar munition, launched from a 120mm mortar with a range of up to 10km and a loading time of approximately 15 seconds.
It is designed to accurately target and destroy objectives using both GPS immune and laser guidance technology. Iron Sting features a multi-mode fuze with Point Detonation (PD), Point Detonation Delay (PDD) and Proximity Sensor (PRX) operating modes.
The development of Iron Sting was completed in 2021 after a decade-long programme. In a statement at the time the Israel MoD said development occurred with Elbit Systems under the auspices of the MoD’s Directorate of Defense R&D (DDR&D).
The statement said a series of tests was carried out using two networked Cardom mortar systems developed by Elbit mounted on an M113 armoured personnel carrier and a Cardom Spear system, mounted on a 4×4 SUV.
At the time, Yehuda (Udi) Vered, general manager of Elbit Systems Land Division, said: “The introduction of this laser and GPS-guided munition transforms the mortar system from a statistical fire power into a precision fire system, improving fire capabilities at the tactical level.
“We believe that we have been able to develop an efficient solution that enables to increase precision and reduce collateral damage.”
More from Land Warfare
-
![Romania opens the chequebook and reorganises as it watches Russian aggression]()
Romania opens the chequebook and reorganises as it watches Russian aggression
Romania is retiring old systems, some Soviet, and replacing them with western equipment from countries such as Sweden and Turkey and boosting existing modern fleets.
-
![Milrem picks Texelis for partnership in drive to develop large UGV]()
Milrem picks Texelis for partnership in drive to develop large UGV
Milrem has delivered or is building a total of 200 Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System UGVs and has chosen Texelis as partner in its effort to develop a UGV.
-
![Sweden takes delivery of first M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system]()
Sweden takes delivery of first M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system
The most recent nation to join NATO has joined other member nations in using the M3 system.
-
![CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent]()
CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent
Slovakia is undergoing a radical refresh of its equipment, like many central and eastern European countries, and the arrival of new vehicles will form a substantial part of this.
-
![Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace]()
Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace
In conversation... Patria’s Lauri Pauniaho talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about how high mobility levels are essential for mortar systems in the face of modern counter-battery fire, and how a new platform-agnostic module can combine existing vehicles and mortar barrels into a cost-effective new weapon system.
