IAI Unveils JUMPER Missile for Urban Warfare
Avraham Zuroff and Hana Levi Julian
(IsraelNN.com) Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) plans to display its new JUMPER System at the third Army and Defense Conference and Exhibition at Latrun. The new system features eight canistered missiles that are launched from a vertical launcher pack to precisely strike targets at ranges of up to 50 km (31 miles).
In addition to the battery of missiles, the JUMPER system contains an integrated command and control unit that are arranged in a launcher pack that requires no operating crew and no special launching platform. IAI said that the system’s pinpoint accuracy and short flight time is expected to add an extra benefit to ground forces, especially since the system can be used regardless of weather and visibility conditions.
Each missile measures 1800 mm (nearly 71 in.) in length, with a diameter of 150 mm (5.9 in.), and weighs 63 kg (139 pounds). The missiles are equipped with a GPS (global positioning system) and four steering fins at the tail and can home in to a laser designation.
The JUMPER is also suited to strikes against urban operations due to its ability to pinpoint targets, thus reducing civilian casualties, according to IAI.
Major General (Ret.) Eyal Ben-Reuven, who served as Deputy Northern Command during the 2006 Second Lebanon War commented that "The JUMPER's unique mode of operation is very relevant to the asymmetric warfare characteristics of the complex battlefield under which the IDF and other modern armies have to operate.” He added that the system is extremely cost-effective as its operation requires only a minimum of personnel.
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