Luz (missile)
Encyclopedia
The RAFAEL Luz was the first missile
build in Israel. RAFAEL developed the missile using knowledge gained from the French MD-620 missile, built for the Israel Defense Forces
by Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation
. The Luz missile should have had three versions: a surface-to-surface, air-to-ground and anti-ship
versions, but technical problems and budget cuts forced Rafael to produce the surface-to-surface and air-to-ground versions alone.
The anti-ship version was dropped for budgetary and technical reasons, as the electro-optical guidance system and joystick performed poorly in poor lighting conditions. Ori Even-Tov, an engineer at Rafael, had already proposed alternative solutions, but these were rejected. The Anti-ship version would later become the IAI Gabriel.
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
build in Israel. RAFAEL developed the missile using knowledge gained from the French MD-620 missile, built for the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
by Avions Marcel Dassault-Breguet Aviation
Dassault Aviation
Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer of military, regional and business jets, a subsidiary of Dassault Group.It was founded in 1930 by Marcel Bloch as Société des Avions Marcel Bloch or "MB". After World War II, Marcel Bloch changed his name to Marcel Dassault, and the name of the...
. The Luz missile should have had three versions: a surface-to-surface, air-to-ground and anti-ship
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
versions, but technical problems and budget cuts forced Rafael to produce the surface-to-surface and air-to-ground versions alone.
Development
The missile, with a length of about 3.00 meters, had a range of 27 km. It was launched from a ground vehicle carrying two missiles, and guided by an operator using a joystick and an electro-optical guidance systemThe anti-ship version was dropped for budgetary and technical reasons, as the electro-optical guidance system and joystick performed poorly in poor lighting conditions. Ori Even-Tov, an engineer at Rafael, had already proposed alternative solutions, but these were rejected. The Anti-ship version would later become the IAI Gabriel.