Mistral Inc. and UVision Inc. have secured a significant contract with the U.S. Army, adding to their expanding portfolio of defense agreements. The companies announced the selection of their Hero-90 loitering munition for the Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program, aimed at enhancing anti-armor capabilities.
The LASSO initiative is considered urgent, focusing on delivering a man-portable, precision anti-armor solution to Brigade Combat Teams, facilitating rapid and lethal engagement of armored threats. The official U.S. government system for award management outlines the necessity for LASSO, citing that Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) face risks in achieving tactical superiority against peer adversaries equipped with armored vehicles and hardened targets. The program aims to address a critical gap in organic capabilities for immediate, long-range precision strike capabilities in complex terrains.
The Hero-90, developed by UVision, is engineered for anti-armor missions and is designed for rapid deployment. With a lightweight and portable launcher, it can be launched by a single operator in under two minutes. The system incorporates man-in-the-loop control, enabling operators to abort missions or re-engage targets seamlessly. It also integrates with Common Control architectures and features configurable warheads. Complementing its operational flexibility, the Hero-90 employs AI-assisted tracking and EO/IR sensors, along with secure beyond-line-of-sight communication, ensuring effectiveness in challenging environments.
“The selection of Hero-90 reflects the Army’s focus on portability, lethality, and MOSA-ready integration,” said Yoav Banai, Senior Vice President of Mistral Inc. in a press release. He emphasized that the collaboration with UVision aims to support the Product Manager for Soldier Precision Targeting Devices, ensuring a solution that is compatible with existing military frameworks.
UVision, based in Tzur Yigal, has a robust portfolio of loitering munitions, with the Hero series being particularly notable. The largest model, the Hero 1250, can carry a 50-kilogram warhead, boasts a range exceeding 200 kilometers, and offers an operational duration of up to ten hours. This versatility positions the Hero series as a formidable asset for tactical units.
Earlier this year, Mistral and UVision secured a $982 million contract under the Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS) program to supply Hero 120 loitering munitions, which includes system deliveries, training, and lifecycle sustainment. The Hero 120 unit, developed by UVision and integrated by Mistral, provides tactical units with a lightweight and high-precision solution for engaging targets in complex scenarios. In June, the companies also won a $73.5 million contract to provide Hero-120SF loitering munitions to the U.S. Special Operations Command, which includes system integration and training.
The ongoing partnerships between Mistral and UVision indicate a strategic alignment with the U.S. Army’s evolving needs for advanced defense technologies. As the military landscape increasingly prioritizes precision and rapid response capabilities, the deployment of such innovative systems will be critical in maintaining operational effectiveness against emerging threats.
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