The Israel Defense Forces has defined the cluster munition used against the drone threat as an "operational success," according to a lessons-learned document obtained by Israel Hayom.
The document, written by IDF Northern Command, describes an incident that took place yesterday in southern Lebanon, during which a Hezbollah explosive drone was launched at IDF forces. According to the document, "during an operational incident in the relevant sector, an explosive drone was successfully intercepted using Liya ammunition," referring to the cluster munition.
The explosive drone was launched at the forces at around 1:30 p.m. local time, when a soldier from an engineering battalion operating under the 401st Brigade combat team intercepted it using the cluster munition from a range of 60 meters (about 200 feet).
The ammunition, which was supplied in recent days to troops in southern Lebanon, is intended for short ranges of 50 meters (about 165 feet) and medium ranges of 100 meters (about 330 feet). Apparently, the soldier who intercepted the threat was the only member of his team authorized to use this specific ammunition, which is stored in a "desert" magazine with a red marking on the vest.
While the drone's frame remained relatively intact, the warhead attached to it was completely detached, and significant damage was recorded to the battery and electrical system themselves. The document concluded that the use of the ammunition at medium range was appropriate, that even a partial hit can neutralize the threat, and that the availability of the magazine was what enabled the trained soldier to fire at the drone.
Despite the isolated incident, at this stage it is impossible to know whether the cluster munition will be what brings the challenge of explosive drones to an end. In addition to this type of ammunition, the IDF has recently been trying to deal with the threat, which has exacted a heavy toll on the battlefield, by deploying dedicated nets, concealing sites and using systems such as the "Pegion" sight, which is relevant for interceptions at medium and long ranges.
Among other things, the military sought to arm its soldiers with the cluster munition to maximize damage to explosive drones, and to provide them with shotguns, which are particularly effective at short ranges of up to 50 meters (about 165 feet) and use pellets that scatter over a wide area.
