Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveiled on Thursday the sixth generation of its Tammuz electro-optic anti-tank missile.
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The new Tammuz missile is based on an older Tammuz model that has been used in IDF operations for some four decades and sold to dozens of armies in the world.
Rafael reports that the new system can fire a salvo of up to four missiles at a time, using a single controller. This new capability increases the number of targets that can be attacked at long range.
Moreover, the new system can target high-quality enemy targets through the use of images based on proprietary algorithms that process images supplied by electro-optic sensors, allowing images of targets to be transmitted to the missiles while they are in the air and strike with precision, minimizing collateral damage.
Whereas Tammuz missile operators used to have to identify targets and aim the missile at them, the new technology allows the missile to "aim" itself through the use of the images. The technology can be vital in distinguishing targets located among similar targets, such as a single enemy tank surrounded by other armor vehicles or a car moving through traffic in a crowded urban area.
According to Rafael, the sixth-generation Tammuz has longer-range strike capabilities and can now hit targets up to 50 km. (31 miles) away when fired from a helicopter and up to 32 km. (20 miles) when fired from the ground.
Dr. Ran Gozali, GM of Rafael's Land and Naval Division, said, "The Tammuz missile is the first in Rafael's electro-optic family [SPIKE] and is already in operational use in the IDF and 39 other countries across the world."
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