Tel Aviv: The US Department of Defence awarded a $73.5 million contract to the US Mistral Group and Israel’s UVision for the supply of Hero-120SF loitering munition systems for US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).
This contract runs until 2029 and also covers spare parts, engineering upgrades, and operator training.
The Hero-120SF is a mid-range, anti-tank loitering weapon tailored for heavy strikes against armoured targets such as tanks and vehicles, equipped with a 4.5 kg warhead, up to 60 kilometres range, and up to 60 minutes loitering time. Manufacturing for these munitions will be based in South Carolina, increasing supply chain security and qualifying the contract as a US transaction under UVision USA.
The contract is intended for US Special Operations Command, documenting ongoing US military interest in advanced loitering weapon capabilities for precision strikes with minimal collateral damage.
UVision and Mistral’s Hero-120SF has unique enhancements for Special Operations, including advanced guidance, flexible deployment, and improved payload.
The Hero-120SF is adapted for engagement against armoured targets and can operate both independently and via remote control, thanks to its advanced electro-optical targeting and real-time communications.
The SOCOM contract signifies increased adoption and operational integration of Israeli loitering munition technology in US Special Forces, positioning UVision and Mistral as prime suppliers for loitering weapon systems in future large-scale US military operations.
The Hero 120 loitering munition system is a state-of-the-art, mid-range, anti-tank system designed to address the complexities of the modern battlefield. It offers high-precision strikes against anti-armour, anti-material, and anti-personnel targets, including tanks, vehicles, and soft targets in urban environments.
With its ability to cause minimal collateral damage and equipped with a range of multi-purpose warheads, the Hero 120 provides operational users with an unparalleled effective engagement solution.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
