During the AUSA 2024 expo, Zona Militar had the opportunity to speak with Itamar Ben-Tovim, Chief Business Development Officer of the Israeli firm Spear, who shared details about the advanced tactical solutions the company has developed in the realm of loitering munitions and autonomous systems. With a focus on precision and versatility, Spear’s products are designed to enhance operational and tactical effectiveness in hostile environments, leveraging artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies.
One of the key topics of the presentation was Spear’s VIPER family of UAVs, which includes the VIPER 300 and VIPER 750 models. These encapsulated and lethal drones are designed to operate against ground targets with precision and in real-time, utilizing advanced tracking and automatic response systems. According to Ben-Tovim, this family of systems is ideal for special operations elements or battalion-level units, providing stand-off and rapid response capabilities to neutralize threats in tactical environments.
The VIPER 300, for example, is specifically designed to be lightweight and portable, weighing 3 kg. This system is perfect for quick tactical operations, offering a flight time of up to 30 minutes. Additionally, it can be equipped with a payload that allows it to perform reconnaissance and interception missions, adapting to various operational scenarios. In its lethal role, the company states that it aims to neutralize enemy personnel, equipment, and even light vehicles.
For its part, the VIPER 750 is a more robust solution designed for longer-range and more complex missions. Weighing 5 kg, it can fly for up to 45 minutes and operate at tactical distances, providing coverage in broader and more intricate areas. This model is equipped with a modular payload, allowing for customization according to the specific needs of the mission. It is an effective option for units requiring a persistent surveillance system or the ability to neutralize threats before they reach their targets. In its lethal role, with one kilogram of explosives, this system offers the same capabilities as the VIPER 300 while also being capable of disabling light armored systems or providing greater firepower against troop or material concentrations.
In addition to these systems, Spear has emphasized the Multicanister Launcher System, a modular system that can be integrated into vehicles and ground platforms, allowing for the simultaneous launch of multiple encapsulated drones on missions. This provides tactical forces with a significant strategic advantage by enabling the rapid deployment of swarms of drones for reconnaissance, attack, or interception without compromising personnel safety. “The system is designed to be intuitive and easy to operate, utilizing autonomous capabilities that reduce the cognitive load on the operator,” Ben-Tovim explained during the interview.
The VIPER family stands out not only for its technical capabilities but also for its ability to integrate advanced artificial intelligence. This allows the drones and encapsulated munitions to operate semi-autonomously, optimizing decision-making and reducing the need for constant human intervention. Operators can focus on primary objectives while the systems manage target acquisition and flight planning in real time.
The command system of the VIPER family provides the operator with a ground view, the ability to automate the flight of the loitering munition, target selection, and flight over a specific area. Furthermore, the integrated optics and systems enable the operator to assess threats on the ground, including vehicles, equipment, and personnel, allowing for more precise and rapid decision-making.
Spear’s interest in expanding its operations in Latin America was also evident during the expo, where Ben-Tovim mentioned that they are in discussions with several countries in the region to provide their tactical solutions, with a focus on customizing capabilities to meet the specific needs of each client.
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