{{Short description|Israeli loitering munition}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Rotem L | image = [[File:Rotem L (2).jpg|350 px]] | origin = {{flag|Israel}} | type = [[Loitering munition]] | is_ranged = Yes | is_explosive = Yes | is_vehicle = Yes | is_missile = Yes | service = 2016-present | used_by = [[Israeli Defense Forces]] | wars = | design_date = 2016 | manufacturer = [[Israel Aircraft Industries]] | unit_cost = | production_date = 2016-present | weight = {{cvt|6.5|kg}} | length = | width = | height = | filling = {{cvt|1.2|kg}} | filling_weight = | engine = [[Electric motor]] | payload_capacity = | vehicle_range = {{cvt|10|km}} | ceiling = {{cvt|2000|ft|order=flip}} | altitude = {{cvt|300-1000|ft|order=flip}} | speed = {{cvt|36-43|km/h}} (cruise)<br>{{cvt|90|km/h}} (terminal) | accuracy = <1 meter [[circular error probability|CEP]] }}
The '''IAI Rotem L''' or '''IAI Rotem - Light''' is a [[loitering munition]] developed by the [[Israel Aerospace Industries]].
==Design== The Rotem-L is a [[vertical takeoff and landing]] (VTOL) [[quadcopter]] primarily designed for operations in [[urban warfare]] that a single soldier can assemble and deploy in under a minute, then control using a [[tablet computer]]. It weighs around 6.5 kg and has a range of 10 km. The warhead capsule weighs 1.2 kg and holds two [[M26 grenade|M26]] or [[M67 grenade]]s with an arming system that requires airflow for activation, and it can be called back and retrieved if no target is engaged. The electrically-powered munition is virtually silent at ranges of 200 meters, has a cruising speed of {{cvt|36-43|km/h|m/s}}, and can dive at target at {{cvt|90|km/h|m/s}} and achieve accuracy of less than one meter. The Rotem-L uses a pair of cameras for surveillance and target acquisition and tracking, one in the nose and one under the belly, as well as obstacle avoidance sensors to prevent the air vehicle from colliding with obstacles in urban areas. With the lethal payload, it has an endurance of 30 minutes, but when fitted with a lighter [[Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance|ISR]] capsule endurance is extended to 45 minutes. If it lands in a perch to observe, it can wait for up to nine hours.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=12 April 2016|title=IDF expected to buy Rotem L loitering munitions|url=http://www.janes.com/article/59442/idf-expected-to-buy-rotem-l-loitering-munitions|access-date=|website=[[Janes Information Services]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416063312/http://www.janes.com/article/59442/idf-expected-to-buy-rotem-l-loitering-munitions|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://defense-update.com/20160216_rotem.html IAI’s ROTEM – Tactical Multirotor Killer Drone]. ''Defense-Update''. 16 February 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-02-16/iai-unveils-quad-copter-bomb IAI Unveils Quad-copter Bomb]. ''[[Aviation International News]]''. 16 February 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19552/the-kamikaze-quadcopter-from-hell/ Israel Made a Kamikaze Quadcopter from Hell]. ''[[Popular Mechanics]]''. 22 February 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/iai-tests-new-capabilities-of-latest-rotem-suicide-drone-560877 IAI tests new capabilities of latest Rotem 'suicide drone']. ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]''. 26 June 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.edrmagazine.eu/new-loitering-munitions-from-iai New loitering munitions from IAI]. ''European Defence Review''. 28 June 2018.</ref>
IAI unveiled the Rotem Alpha in September 2023. It is larger weighing {{cvt|25|kg}} but is still man-portable, with endurance while airborne of 60 minutes or 24 hours in a perch and stare mode, and an operating range of {{cvt|40|km}}. It employs a {{cvt|2.5|kg}} [[High-explosive anti-tank|anti-tank warhead]] with a shrapnel sleeve derived from the [[LAHAT]] that can penetrate 600 mm of armor. In addition to EO/IR cameras, the Rotem Alpha has an acoustic sensor suite that can detect noise from vehicle engines or artillery fire, enabling it to autonomously locate them for engagement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=13 September 2023|title=DSEI 2023: IAI develops anti-tank loitering munition|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/dsei-2023-iai-develops-anti-tank-loitering-munition|access-date=|website=[[Janes Information Services]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916192007/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/dsei-2023-iai-develops-anti-tank-loitering-munition|archive-date=16 September 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://defense-update.com/20230912_rotem-alpha.html IAI unveils ROTEM Alpha, an Anti Tank Loitering Weapon]. ''Defense-Update''. 12 September 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.c4isrnet.com/newsletters/unmanned-systems/2023/09/19/israeli-companies-showcase-drones-that-take-off-land-vertically/ Israeli companies showcase drones that take off, land vertically]. ''[[C4ISRNet]]''. 19 September 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/iai-unveils-rotem-alpha-loitering-munition-for-anti-tank-strikes/154936.article IAI unveils Rotem Alpha loitering munition for anti-tank strikes]. ''[[Flight International]]''. 13 September 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/09/14/super-sized-super-smart-kamikaze-quadcopter-bringing-anti-tank-dominance/ Super-Sized, Super-Smart Kamikaze Quadcopter ‘Bringing Anti-Tank Dominance’]. ''[[Forbes]]''. 14 September 2023.</ref>
==See also== *[[STM Kargu]] *[[Spike Firefly]]
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Rotem L}} * [https://www.iai.co.il/p/rotem ROTEM Tactical Vertical Take-Off and Lading (VTOL) Loitering Munition - IAI] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZB44fL5tw IAI ROTEM L - Multiblade Loitering Munition] * [http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a20555/the-quadrotor-drone-that-carries-a-warhead/ The Quadrotor Drone That Carries a Warhead]
{{IAI aircraft}}
[[Category:Israel Aerospace Industries unmanned aerial vehicles|Harop]] [[Category:Israel Aerospace Industries aircraft|Harop]] [[Category:Loitering munitions]] {{UAV-stub}}