The LORA (Long Range Artillery) is a short-range, road-mobile, ground and sea-launched solid fueled ballistic missile developed and operated by Israel. It has a range of 280 km.
LORA at a Glance
Originated from: Israel
Possessed by: Israel, Azerbaijan
Class: Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM)
Basing: Road-mobile and ship-launched
Length: 5.2 m
Diameter: 0.624 m
Launch weight: 1,600 kg
Payload: Single 600 kg warhead
Warhead: HE, submunitions
Propulsion: Solid propellant
Range: 280 km
Status: Operational
In service: 2007 (unconfirmed)
LORA Development
According to reports in 2005, the LORA was the result of a collaboration between Israel Aerospace Industries, MLM Division, and IMI. 1 The missile was first publicly shown in 2006 at the Eurosatory exposition and then officially displayed in 2007 and 2011 at the Paris Air Show. 2
LORA Specifications
According to Israel Aerospace Industries, the missile’s manufacturer, the LORA has a diameter of 0.624 m and a length of 5.2 m, with a launch weight of approximately 1,600 kg. 3 It can carry a payload of up to 600 kg, and can deploy a single HE warhead or submunitions. 4 It uses Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System and TV for terminal guidance, with possible inflight maneuvering capability. The missile has a maximum range of 280 km and an accuracy of 10 m CEP. 5
The missiles are carried in quadruple packs by ships, or by 6 x 6 vehicles. When kept inside hermetically sealed containers, the missiles can have a shelf life of 7 years. 6
Service History
The missile was reportedly test fired in November 2003, March 2004, and in 2006. It is believed to have entered service in Israel in 2007. 7 In June 2017, Israel test-fired a LORA again from the deck of a container ship.
The LORA missile is known to be deployed in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as of May 2018. 8 The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan announced on June 11, 2018, the creation of a new Missile Troops unit to operate the LORA and other missiles deployed at a newly built facility. 9 Azerbaijan acquired the LORA missile system in a recent military build up as a part of its ongoing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karbakh or Artsakh territory. 10 The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Artsakh reportedly identified Azerbaijani troops moving LORA missile systems along the contact line in a video recorded on June 12, 2018. 11