Tammuz anti-tank guided missile
PHoto: IDF Spokesperson
Tammuz missile gets major upgrade
Greater accuracy, greater sense of control and ability to shift missile trajectory to avoid civilians are all part of the IDF's upgrade for Tammuz anti-tank guided missile. Watch as the missile avoids hitting a target
Just months after it was revealed, the Tammuz anti-tank guided missile
is getting an upgrade: The IDF
Artillery Corps' electro-optic guided missile, which was first presented last summer, is getting another technological upgrade.
Troops operating and firing the missile will enjoy an even more accurate guidance system thanks to a special dot that will pinpoint the target from the missile's initial trajectory, when it is fired from the launcher – and right through to the moment the missile hits its target.
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As is the habit in the past few years, a camera is installed on the missile to document the missiles movement and progress towards the target for the soldiers. In addition to the increased accuracy, the new upgrade is supposed to give the soldiers a greater sense of security and control.
The technological innovation was recently declared operational and is at this stage already being supplied to the troops.
The Tammuz system is expected to take part in combat activities against terror groups in the Gaza Strip, if and when it will be needed by the forces. Tammuz's technology will also address the issue that made negative headlines for Israel in the Goldstone Report: Harming uninvolved parties.
As the video, shown here for the first time reveals, the soldiers follow the missile's trajectory (before the new upgrade). When the building is identified as one belonging to uninvolved civilians, the missile is shifted at the last minute to an open area where it explodes without harming innocent civilians.
"We have some very advanced simulators where we already practice urban warfare because the Tammuz's purpose is actually to be an anti-tank and tough target missile," the David's Sling Division commander Colonel S. told Ynet.
Tammuz missile system gets an upgrade (Photo: IDF Spokesman)
"Of course this is all connected to the troops' high values and norms; they are well versed with how to respond if they identify civilians in the line of fire."
Meanwhile, the Artillery Corps – under the command of Chief Artillery Officer Brigadier General David Swissa – is preparing for the establishment of a new IDF rocket system that would allow the firing of advanced rockets to a greater range. These rockets are still in the advanced development stage.
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