The LAHAT (Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-Tank, also a Hebrew word for incandescence) is a third generation semi-active laser homing guided low-weight anti-tank guided missile developed since 1992 and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries. The LAHAT was renamed to Nimrod-SR for the Latin American market. It was designed primarily to be fired by Merkava tanks’ 105 mm and 120 mm tank guns, though it matches all types of 105 mm and 120 mm guns, including low recoil guns and low-weight guns of military armoured cars. Unlike other tank rounds, LAHAT does not need a tank gun for operation.
LAHAT has a length of 975mm, diameter of 104.5mm and a weight of 12.5kg. A LAHAT launcher equipped with four missiles weighs less than 80kg. The compact dimensions of the missile allow easy integration on light-weight helicopters, light vehicles and armoured vehicles. Conventional tanks require minimal modifications to install the LAHAT system. The laser range-finder is replaced with LRF / laser designator module. LAHAT programming is configured in the fire control computer. The missile is stowed like other rounds in the ammunition rack and handled just like any other type of ammunition.
The LAHAT is designed to achieve a 95 percent probability of kill under most conditions. It has a semi-active laser guidance system, capable of both direct and indirect laser designation—the target can be laser-designated by the launching platform (e.g. firing tank) or other platform (e.g. another tank, helicopter, UAV, or forward scouting team), requiring minimal exposure in the firing position. With a low launch signature, the missile’s trajectory can be set to match either top attack (armoured fighting vehicle, warship) or direct attack (helicopter gunship) engagements.
The LAHAT missile has a range of up to 8,000 m (5.0 mi) when launched from a ground platform, and up to 13,000 m (8.1 mi) when deployed from high elevation. The time of flight to a target at 4,000 m (2.5 mi) is 14 seconds and the missile hits the target at an accuracy of 0.7 m (2.3 ft) CEP and an angle of over 30 degrees, providing effective penetration of up to 800 mm (31 in) of RHA armor steel with its tandem warhead to deal with add-on reactive armor. LAHAT might also carry embedded active protection system countermeasure capabilities. In any tank the LAHAT is stowed like other rounds in the ammunition rack, and handled just like any other type of ammunition.
