ACCULAR
ACCULAR is a family of GPS-guided artillery rockets developed and manufactured by Israel Military Industries, now part of Elbit Systems, designed for high-precision fire support in ground operations.[1][2] The system, based on the LAR-160 rocket platform, achieves a range of 14 to 40 kilometers with a circular error probable of less than 10 meters, enabling autonomous targeting without external illumination.[2][1] Combat-proven in urban environments, ACCULAR supports rapid response, with launch preparation under one minute and effectiveness reported as ten times that of unguided equivalents.[1][3] Variants such as the AccuLAR-122 adapt 122mm Grad rockets for precision via bolt-on kits, compatible with launchers including the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System used by the Israel Defense Forces.[4][5] Deployed by the Israel Defense Forces and select international customers, it emphasizes cost-effectiveness and minimal collateral damage through advanced guidance.[1][2]Development History
Origins in LAR Systems
The AccuLAR system originated as a precision-guided upgrade to the Light Artillery Rocket (LAR) family, unguided rockets developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) for rapid, area-effect fire support. The foundational LAR-160, a 160 mm caliber rocket, was designed in the late 1970s to provide lightweight mobile artillery with a maximum range of 45 km and compatibility with launchers such as the Lynx multiple rocket system or modified armored vehicles.[6][7] Adopted by the Israel Defense Forces in 1983, the LAR-160 emphasized volume of fire over accuracy, typical of Cold War-era rocket artillery, but suffered from dispersion errors exceeding hundreds of meters at extended ranges.[7] IMI addressed these limitations by engineering the AccuLAR as a bolt-on GPS/INS guidance kit for LAR rockets, retaining the original airframe, propulsion, and warhead while adding trajectory correction for terminal precision. This approach minimized development costs and ensured interoperability with existing LAR launch platforms, including heavier systems like the M270 MLRS. The guidance system employs inertial navigation augmented by satellite positioning to achieve a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters at ranges up to 40 km, enabling standalone or salvo launches against high-value targets.[2][8] Initial focus was on the 160 mm AccuLAR-160 variant, directly derived from the LAR-160, with exports such as a $40 million contract to Romania in December 2014 for integration into upgraded LAROM systems. By 2018, the IDF Artillery Corps had declared the AccuLAR operational, reflecting iterative testing to validate autonomous fire-and-forget capabilities in diverse terrains. This evolution from unguided LAR barrage weapons to guided munitions aligned with post-2000s doctrinal shifts toward reduced collateral damage in urban and asymmetric conflicts.[9][10]Key Technological Advancements
The AccuLAR system represents a significant advancement in converting unguided artillery rockets into precision-guided munitions through the integration of a bolt-on guidance kit compatible with existing 122mm Grad and 160mm LAR rocket bodies. This retrofit approach, originally developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI), enables the addition of GPS-aided inertial navigation without requiring full redesign of the rocket airframe, achieving a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters at ranges up to 40 kilometers.[2][11] Central to its technological edge is the autonomous GPS/INS guidance package, which allows fire-and-forget operation independent of external illumination or line-of-sight, functioning effectively in all weather conditions and reducing susceptibility to electronic countermeasures compared to laser or electro-optical systems. The system incorporates multi-mode navigation to mitigate GPS jamming, combining inertial measurements with satellite signals for terminal accuracy, and supports rapid mission planning via pre-loaded waypoints.[1][4] Further innovations include a preparation-to-fire sequence under one minute, facilitated by simplified electronics and modular pod integration with launchers such as the PULS multiple rocket system or M270 MLRS, enhancing operational tempo in dynamic battlefield scenarios. This cost-effectiveness—estimated at a fraction of standalone precision missiles—stems from leveraging mass-produced unguided rocket components while adding guidance value, with reported unit costs around $80,000 for the 122mm variant.[12][13]Production and Manufacturer Transitions
The AccuLAR guided artillery rocket family was originally developed and manufactured by Israel Military Industries (IMI), a government-owned defense firm specializing in munitions and rocket systems. IMI introduced the AccuLAR-160 as a precision variant of its Light Artillery Rocket (LAR) systems, with public demonstrations of live firings occurring as early as November 2016, showcasing ranges up to 40 km.[14] In 2017, IMI unveiled the AccuLAR-122, a bolt-on guidance kit adapted for 122 mm Grad-compatible rockets, enabling low-cost precision strikes from existing multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).[4] Production under IMI focused on integration with IDF platforms like the LAROM and export to allies, including a contract for Romania's acquisition of AccuLAR-160 rockets for upgraded systems.[9] A significant manufacturer transition occurred in 2018 when Elbit Systems, a private Israeli defense contractor, acquired IMI Systems for approximately $495 million (NIS 1.8 billion), completing the deal on November 25 after Israeli government approvals.[15] [16] This privatization shifted AccuLAR production from state control to Elbit's integrated portfolio, which includes advanced guidance and launcher technologies, potentially enhancing scalability and export potential through Elbit's global subsidiaries.[17] Post-acquisition, Elbit Systems assumed full responsibility for AccuLAR manufacturing, marketing it as a combat-proven, GPS/INS-guided rocket with autonomous operation capabilities under adverse weather conditions and readiness in under one minute.[1] The company has integrated AccuLAR variants into its Precise and Universal Launching Systems (PULS) MLRS, formerly IMI's Lynx launcher, and secured ongoing production contracts, such as a $130 million deal in April 2025 to supply AccuLAR munitions (up to 35 km range) alongside training rockets to an undisclosed European customer.[18] This transition has not disrupted supply chains but has aligned AccuLAR with Elbit's emphasis on modular, export-oriented precision fires, evidenced by increased international interest following conflicts like Ukraine.[19] No major production halts or facility relocations were reported, with Elbit leveraging IMI's Ramat HaSharon facilities for continued munitions output.[20]Technical Design
Guidance and Control Mechanisms
The AccuLAR guided artillery rocket utilizes a combined Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial navigation system (INS) for precision guidance, enabling autonomous navigation to pre-designated targets. This hybrid approach integrates satellite-based positioning for initial and mid-course corrections with gyroscopic and accelerometer data from the INS to maintain trajectory accuracy, particularly in environments where GPS signals may be degraded or jammed. The system supports all-weather operability and fire-and-forget functionality, with target coordinates inputted via the launch platform's fire control interface prior to launch.[2][21] Control mechanisms rely on an onboard guidance computer that processes navigation data to actuate aerodynamic control surfaces, typically including steerable fins or canards, for trajectory adjustments during flight. These surfaces enable lateral and vertical corrections, compensating for launch dispersions and environmental factors such as wind. The rocket achieves a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters at ranges up to 40 kilometers, significantly enhancing hit probability compared to unguided predecessors like the LAR-160. This precision supports urban and close-support missions while minimizing collateral damage through reduced dispersion.[1][2] Preparation for firing is rapid, with the guidance system initializing in under one minute after loading, allowing integration with systems like the PULS multiple launch rocket system or modified M270 platforms. The autonomous nature eliminates the need for real-time operator input post-launch, though the INS component ensures resilience against electronic warfare threats by providing backup dead-reckoning capabilities. Combat deployments have validated this setup's effectiveness in dynamic battlefield conditions.[1][22]Propulsion and Aerodynamics
The AccuLAR guided rockets are powered by solid-propellant rocket motors, a propulsion technology derived from the underlying unguided Light Artillery Rocket (LAR) series developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI), now under Elbit Systems. These motors use composite solid propellants, which provide a high thrust-to-weight ratio, enabling rapid acceleration to supersonic velocities shortly after launch and supporting ballistic trajectories over ranges of 35–40 km depending on the variant. The solid-fuel design offers advantages in simplicity, long shelf life, and all-weather operability, as the propellant grain is pre-cast and insensitive to orientation or minor environmental variations during storage and firing.[23][8] For the AccuLAR-122, the 122 mm caliber motor is optimized for compatibility with standard multiple launch rocket systems like those based on 122 mm Grad launchers, delivering sufficient impulse for a 35 km range while carrying a 20 kg warhead. The AccuLAR-160 variant employs a larger 160 mm motor, akin to the LAR-160's configuration, which achieves up to 40 km range through enhanced propellant mass and burn efficiency, with the Mk IV iteration of the base LAR design incorporating improved propellants for extended performance. Burn times are typically short, on the order of 2–3 seconds, after which the rocket coasts ballistically under gravity and guidance corrections.[24] Aerodynamically, AccuLAR rockets maintain stability through fixed rear stabilizing fins, a feature inherited from the fin-stabilized LAR rockets, which counteract induced roll and ensure predictable flight paths during the unpowered coast phase. The overall body design minimizes drag via a cylindrical fuselage with a pointed nose cone, while the integration of GPS/INS guidance likely incorporates actuated control surfaces—such as movable tail fins or canards—for mid-course corrections, allowing the system to achieve circular error probable (CEP) accuracies below 10 m despite crosswinds or initial launch dispersions. This aerodynamic control enables quasi-ballistic trajectories with minimal altitude excursions, optimizing energy retention from the initial boost phase for precision strikes. Empirical data from operational tests confirm effective stability across launch elevations and environmental conditions, though detailed coefficients for lift, drag, or fin effectiveness remain classified.[1][23]Warhead Options and Payload Capacity
The AccuLAR guided rocket system employs modular warhead configurations designed for versatility in artillery engagements, primarily featuring unitary penetration warheads for breaching hardened targets and controlled fragmentation warheads for area suppression with minimized collateral effects. These options prioritize precision delivery via the rocket's guidance suite, enabling effective neutralization of high-value assets such as command posts or armored formations. Warhead selection is tailored to mission requirements, with penetration variants optimized for deep structural damage through shaped-charge or blast-fragmentation mechanisms, while controlled fragmentation employs programmable fuzes to limit blast radius and enhance lethality against personnel or soft-skinned vehicles.[1] Payload capacity varies by variant to balance range, accuracy, and destructive potential. The AccuLAR-122, compatible with standard 122 mm rocket launchers, integrates a 20 kg warhead, supporting the aforementioned penetration or fragmentation types within a compact form factor suitable for high-volume fire missions. In contrast, the larger AccuLAR-160 accommodates up to a 35 kg warhead, allowing for greater explosive yield in scenarios demanding enhanced terminal effects against fortified positions or clustered threats. This scaling ensures operational flexibility without compromising the system's core accuracy metrics of under 10 m CEP at maximum range.[25][1]Variants
AccuLAR-122 Specifications and Features
The AccuLAR-122 is the 122 mm caliber variant within Elbit Systems' AccuLAR family of precision-guided artillery rockets, optimized for compatibility with standard multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) such as the PULS, M270, and legacy 122 mm platforms like the Grad.[1][12] It employs a bolt-on guidance upgrade approach, transforming unguided 122 mm rockets into high-precision munitions suitable for urban environments, with emphasis on minimizing collateral damage through pinpoint accuracy.[1][4] Key specifications include a maximum range of 40 km, achieved via solid-propellant rocket motor, and a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, enabling first-shot hits against high-value targets.[1] The guidance system utilizes GNSS-aided inertial navigation for autonomous, all-weather operation, with no reliance on external illumination or datalink for terminal phase corrections.[1] Warhead options consist of a 20 kg unitary penetration type for hardened structures or controlled fragmentation for personnel and soft targets, delivering approximately 10 times the effectiveness of equivalent unguided explosive shells in terms of lethal radius and target neutralization.[1][24]| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 122 mm |
| Length | Approximately 2.9 m (standardized for 122 mm compatibility) |
| Range | Up to 40 km |
| Accuracy (CEP) | <10 m |
| Warhead Weight | 20 kg |
| Propulsion | Solid-fuel rocket motor |
| Launch Platforms | PULS (up to 18 rockets per pod), M270 MLRS, Grad-compatible systems |
AccuLAR-160 Specifications and Features
The AccuLAR-160 is a precision-guided variant of the 160 mm Light Artillery Rocket (LAR) family, manufactured by Elbit Systems for integration with multiple rocket launchers such as the PULS system. It incorporates GPS-aided inertial navigation for autonomous flight, achieving a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters at maximum range, significantly improving upon the unguided LAR-160's accuracy limitations.[1][2] Key specifications include a caliber of 160 mm, overall length of 3,995 mm, and launch weight of approximately 110 kg. The rocket attains a maximum range of 40 km, powered by a solid-fuel motor optimized for rapid salvo fire and minimal dispersion.[2][26] It supports warhead payloads of up to 35 kg, available in unitary high-explosive penetration configurations for hardened targets or controlled fragmentation for area suppression, with selectable fuzing options including impact, proximity, or delayed detonation.[12] Operational features emphasize modularity and cost-efficiency, with the system designed for quick reloading via pod-based containers holding up to 20 rounds per launcher module, enabling high-volume fire missions. The guidance suite resists jamming through anti-spoofing measures, and the rocket's aerodynamic design incorporates folding fins for stability during boost and cruise phases. Elbit Systems positions the AccuLAR-160 as a bridge between artillery shells and longer-range missiles, offering over tenfold effectiveness compared to equivalent unguided munitions in terms of target neutralization probability.[1]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 160 mm |
| Length | 3,995 mm |
| Weight | ~110 kg |
| Range | Up to 40 km |
| Accuracy (CEP) | <10 m |
| Warhead Weight | Up to 35 kg |
| Guidance | GPS/INS, autonomous |
| Launcher Compatibility | PULS, adaptable to M270/MLRS |