The German Navy has test-fired a navalised version of IAI’s LORA ballistic missile from one of its frigates.
The LORA (Long-Range Artillery) weapon system is a surface-to-surface missile capable of being fired from mobile or maritime platforms, and comprises a command trailer and a launcher.
The supersonic missile has a range of over 250 miles, travels at speeds of up to Mach 5, and delivers a high explosive warhead with a claimed precision of to within 10 metres, as per IAI.
The test was carried at the start of this month from the German Navy Baden-Württemberg-class frigate Sachsen-Anhalt in the North Atlantic, somewhere in the waters between Ireland and Iceland.
According to an IAI press statement: “Under both scenarios, the missile was launched to its trajectory, navigated its course to the target, and hit it with utmost precision. Both the weapon system and the missile successfully met all the trial’s objectives.”
The trials were carried out under the auspices of the German Navy’s Operational Experimentation (OPEX) team as part of its ‘Marine 2035 and Beyond’ planning.
Head of the German Navy Inspector Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack commented via social media: “With the successful launch of a ballistic missile last night in the North Atlantic, we have made naval history. I am extremely pleased with this achievement.
“The system can be successfully deployed from our units, and its potential range surpasses anything we have previously known. For the protection of Germany and our allies, this test represents a new chapter in terms of deterrence and defense readiness at sea.”
- You can read more details on the IAI website
