The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have unveiled a new weapon called Iron Sting, which provides organic precision fires to ground forces. In modern warfare, precision fires are crucial for minimizing collateral damage and maximizing the effectiveness of the fighting force. This is especially important for the IDF, as they often face enemies who hide within civilian, urban environments.
While the Israeli Air Force regularly uses laser-guided precision bombs, IDF ground battalions lack organic precision indirect fire systems to respond to individual targets of opportunity. This is where Iron Sting comes in. Revealed on March 14, 2021, Iron Sting is a 120mm mortar munition that is guided by a combination of lasers and GPS technology. This allows the weapon to hit a specific target up to 12km away, even penetrating double-reinforced concrete.
Then-Defense Minister Benny Gantz praised the technology provided by Israeli industries, stating that it changes the battlefield and provides the IDF with more accurate and effective means of combat. Iron Sting helps the IDF adapt their capabilities to deal with enemies hiding in civilian areas, all while meeting the legal and moral standards set by the State of Israel.
Before its reveal, Iron Sting underwent final trials at a testing site in southern Israel. The munition was fired from a Cardom 120mm Recoil Mortar System, which was mounted on both an M113 APC and a Hummer 4×4 SUV. Both Iron Sting and the Cardom were developed by Israeli defense company Elbit Systems. After ten years of research and development, the weapon passed the final tests with unparalleled accuracy, hitting its intended target directly.
Following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023, the IDF responded by striking Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. On October 22, 2023, the IDF confirmed that Iron Sting was used in combat for the first time. The precision mortar was employed by the IDF’s Maglan unit to target Hamas rocket launchers. Alongside airstrikes, the engagement resulted in the elimination of dozens of Hamas terrorists.
Compared to unguided 120mm mortars, which have an accuracy of 136 meters, Iron Sting with its precision position and pointing systems can reduce this to just 76 meters. The IDF reports that in 90% of cases, Iron Sting has a maximum deviation level of only 10 meters. This level of precision makes Iron Sting a valuable asset for the IDF in their operations.
