The Israeli company Elbit Systems is actively promoting its unique defense product to the market — high precision mortar ammunition with laser and GPS guidance Iron Sting.
Reporters of Tel Aviv's “Channel 7” defined “Iron Sting” (Iron Sting) as a "network system of high-precision fire" — mortar ammunition that uses a laser and GPS to accurately hit targets and prevent collateral damage, reports ArmyInform.
The 120-mm Iron Sting guided munition, developed by Elbit Systems since the early 2010s, is in service with IDF reconnaissance platoons from 2022. The Israeli military department equips M125A2 PA mobile mortars with them, equipped with a 120 mm Soltam Cardom mortar. 15 tracked armored vehicles of this type were purchased from Elbit Systems in 2019 and delivered in December 2021.
The 17-kilogram (37.5 lb) mortar shell is designed to accurately engage and neutralize targets up to 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) away. It is capable of penetrating fortifications with concrete up to 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) thick. Featuring a convenient fire control system, the Iron Sting optimizes the firing sequence, taking only 15 seconds from input to launch.
The Iron Sting features a multi-mode detonator with point detonation (PD), point detonation delay (PDD) and sensor modes approach (PRX).
The first combat use of Iron Sting took place during Operation Iron Swords. Their task was to neutralize the Hamas rocket site in the Gaza Strip, from which rocket attacks on Israeli territory were carried out, the Ynetnews portal reported.
After the first use in Gaza, the projectiles were also used on the border with Lebanon to attack Hezbollah fighters. According to the command of the Israel Defense Forces, when used against Palestinian militants, the accuracy of hitting targets was about 90%, which allowed to reduce collateral damage.
"Technologies introduced by the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli industry are changing the battlefield and providing our forces with more accurate and effective tools. Integration of “Iron Sting“ to the IDF corresponds to the vision presented by the multi-year plan “Tnufa”. It also meets the needs of the IDF, adapting combat capabilities to combat enemies hidden in civilian, urban environments while respecting the legal and moral standards established by the State of Israel, — noted the Minister of Defense of the State of Israel, Benny Gantz.
“This is the only weapon of its kind in the world,” which, according to Lt. Col. J. Liron Cohen, an IDF officer who helped develop it through the Defense Department's Office of Defense Research and Development, «has a level of accuracy normally reserved for air-launched missiles, but built into a mortar of this type, which every soldier can learn to deal with. This means Iron Sting can be used against specific targets in the difficult conditions the IDF faces in Gaza, potentially eliminating the need for an airstrike.
In turn, the general manager of Elbit Systems' land division, Yehuda Vered noted: «This projectile with laser and GPS guidance turns the mortar system from a statistical firearm into a high-precision fire system. Thus providing a significant change in fire capabilities. We believe that we have been able to develop an effective solution that allows you to increase accuracy and reduce collateral damage».
The new Israeli ammunition, after some kind of "fiery advertising" in Gaza, has already found its first foreign buyer. They became the Philippines, which previously purchased 120-mm Soltam Cardom self-propelled mortars from Israel. Delivery of the first two batches of “smart” cartridges are expected by 2025.