Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is finalising development of C²Strike – a command, communication, surveillance and strike integrated system designated for tactical use and based on the Panther UAS special capabilities. C²Strike system opens new and ground-breaking capabilities for the tactical manoeuvring force in defence and strike missions.

Panther’s automatic vertical take-off and landing (AVTOL) capabilities, and its hovering and transitioning to straight & level flight, were recently demonstrated to certain IAI customers. The Panther, having E/O surveillance and laser designation payloads, provides a unique solution for the tactical tier.

Until now, observation capability by UAS and precise fire support were not readily available at the tactical level. Weapon accuracy and effectiveness was limited, and small forces – terrorists, hiding anti-tank squads, etc., could block an armoured manoeuvre. The challenge in such battlefield scenarios is to locate and strike low-signature and time sensitive targets, swiftly and accurately. There is an ongoing worldwide need for such a solution.

IAI’s total connectivity solution is implemented in the C²Strike system to enable real time data transfer. An integrated network between airborne surveillance systems, control systems and precision strike systems creates a united operational system-of-systems. Fast, accurate and independent identification, location, designation, launch and strike of targets is achieved.

The Panther UAS’ multi-sensor payload consists of a daynight designation system. The UAS is operated by a commander, an operator and a technician, that move with the mobile forces in the mobile mission station (MMS). Each MMS carries more than one Panther UAS, for full support, backup and hot swap between mission and transit UAS.

The system uses video geo-registration technology for accurate target coordinates location.Various IAI’s weapon systems are integrated with C²Strike, for example: the LAHAT laser guided missile, equipped with advanced guidance capabilities and unique warheads, with a range of 8 km; the TopGun GPS/INS guided missile, capable of mid-course target changing for accurate strike and guided-artillery allocation. Integration of other weapon systems is possible per customer’s specific requirements.

A ground communication system connects the MMS vehicle and the strike weapon systems. The C²Strike system extracts accurate target coordinates and provides a real-time broad situation picture to the commander, who is in full situational-awareness, and assigns munition allocations accordingly. All communications are secure as required. The customer’s own network can be used for communication. To further enhance the communication system’s capabilities, the Panther UAS could also be used as a relay. IAI’s ETOP hovering observation platform could also be integrated with the system, according to the required operational range and battlefield characteristics.