Israel’s UVision and US company Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) announced on 27 March 2024 that they are collaborating to manufacture UVision’s Hero 120 loitering munition system.
Under the agreement the Hero 120 system will be produced in Charleston, South Carolina, significantly enhancing rapid-response capabilities for all UVision USA clients in the United States.
“The collaboration with SAIC is aimed at establishing a fully independent domestic supply chain, ensuring that UVision’s US clients benefit from reduced dependency on international supply chains, faster delivery times, local training by expert teams, and comprehensive post-sale support and maintenance,” UVision stated in a press release.
Avi Mizrachi, chairman of the board of Uvision USA, stated that the company’s business activity “expanded significantly in the second half of 2023, with several new contracts signed with the US military and other government bodies.
“Our collaboration with SAIC stems from the need to provide a complete solution to our US clients, independent of the international supply chain. We are proud to announce that the manufacturing facility itself will commence operations in March 2024,” Mizrachi added.
Weighing 14.5 kg, including one of a variety of warheads weighing up to 4.5 kg, UVision’s Hero 120 loitering munition has a range in excess of 60 km and an endurance of 60 minutes. Launched pneumatically from a ground launcher, the system offers infantry units a high-precision organic strike capability for anti-armour, anti-material and anti-personnel targets, including in urban environments, where its use can minimise collateral damage. The system can also be launched from vehicles, aircraft or naval platforms.
