The IAI Rotem L or IAI Rotem – Light is a tactical, loitering munition based on a light multi-rotor platform that delivers excellent capabilities against low signature enemy systems in complex environments developed by the Israel Aerospace Industries. The ROTEM is a tactical, loitering munition based on a light multi-rotor platform that delivers excellent capabilities against low signature enemy systems in complex environments. It can perform squad level ISR and attack missions with a minimal planning and operational focus from the operator. The Rotem weighs only 4.5 kg, packing an impressive array of sensors, The drone is a quadcopter that can loiter for 30–45 minutes with the maximum range of 10 km. It can carry 1 kg warhead that could be two fragmentation grenades.
This lightweight and compact Aerial Vehicle (AV) can be operated by a single soldier. The backpacked system is a tactical kit of two AVs with all peripherals to allow an operational unit to use it organically as a part of their standard gear. The exceptional capability to hover allows the VTOL platform to see targets and engage within seconds, which makes the ROTEM a game changer for its operators Unlike many other loitering drones, Rotem has the significant feature that it can be reused once aborts the mission, and safely lands in a safe location. The AV is capable of lethal precision strikes on stationary and mobile targets and is recoverable.
The Rotem is operated by a single soldier using simple point and click commands on a tablet controller. The vehicle takes off vertically, and ascends toward the area of interest, where the operator can scan and observe the area using its forward looking slanted camera. From a distance of few hundreds of meters ROTEM is practically inaudible and can loiter silently for the entire mission. When a target is located and verified the operator can switch to attack mode, the drone responds and quickly accelerates to a high speed dive, closing in on its prey, with the target maintained in view throughout the flight, enabling the manned operator to monitor the attack and abort anytime if necessary. Using on-board sensors, ROTEM effectively avoids obstacles, enter windows at low or high levels, or maneuver around fences. The operator directs the ROTEM to its target – horizontally, vertically or slanted as necessary
Fixed-wing drones have problems in cities. They cannot easily fly down narrow streets and alleys, and certainly not inside buildings. Trees and overhead power lines are real hazards, so these drone may have to remain hundreds of feet above the action. But a quadrotor munition is a very different type of aerial vehicle. A quadrotor like ROTEM, by contrast, can operate at low altitudes and follow the same path a foot patrol might take. The ROTEM has a sonar-type obstacle avoidance system that lets it fly through narrow spaces and navigate inside buildings.
