IAI Harpy

IAI Harpy

Type: Anti-Radiation Loitering Munition

Domain: air

Country of Origin: Israel

Manufacturer: IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries)

First Deployed: 1994

Overview

Pioneering anti-radiation loitering munition (also categorised as a SEAD UAV) that established the concept of autonomous suppression of enemy air defences through expendable platforms. The Harpy autonomously loiters over a designated area for up to 9 hours, using its wideband passive radar seeker to detect, classify, and home in on enemy radar emissions — diving into the radar antenna with a 32 kg blast-fragmentation warhead. Launched from a ground-based container (18 per launcher), the Harpy features a 2.1-metre wingspan, delta wing configuration, and small turbojet engine with a range of 500 km. Once launched, the Harpy operates fully autonomously — a fire-and-forget SEAD weapon requiring no operator control or datalink. This autonomous operation provides a critical advantage when enemy air defences may jam or destroy communication links. Widely exported including to South Korea, Turkiye, India, and China (the latter sale caused significant US diplomatic friction). The Harpy pioneered the loitering munition concept that has since become a global trend.

Technical Specifications

range500 km
seekerBroadband passive radar homing (anti-radiation)
warhead32 kg HE blast-fragmentation
guidanceAutonomous; homes on radar emissions
launcher18 rounds per ground container
wingspan2.1 m
endurance~2.5 hours loitering
operationFire-and-forget; no datalink required
configurationDelta wing, small turbojet

Operators

Related air Weapon Systems