HAIFA, Israel, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) and Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that they have successfully conducted flight tests of the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR).

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In a recent demonstration, conducted in Israel, GATR was employed from a helicopter using lock-on before launch to engage an off boresight target at a range of approximately three (3) kilometers. ATK and Elbit Systems validated flight worthiness, safe separation launch, and autonomous laser designated guided flight through a series of tests. The laser designated guided flight, launched from a standard 2.75 inch launcher, resulted in a direct impact on the target.

Originally announced in July 2008, GATR benefits from a robust design, which combines combat-proven performance, a minimum smoke signature and the reliability of an ATK-produced propulsion system, similar to a system employed on millions of rockets produced for the United States Army. GATR contains a guidance and control system built with the experience of Elbit Systems' heritage in high-performance laser seekers for the United States and international customers. It employs advanced acquisition, tracking and guidance algorithms to achieve one-meter accuracy against stationary and moving targets. In its tactical configuration, GATR will incorporate an Insensitive Munitions (IM) rocket motor and a family of IM warheads to include blast/fragmentation and penetration. GATR is a low-cost, precision strike weapon that minimizes collateral damage, while providing stand-off deployment against a wide array of target sets.

GATR supports lock-on before or after launch as well as autonomous or remote laser designation. The system can be deployed against targets at ranges of 1.5 to 8+ kilometers from fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. It is compatible with existing 2.75'/70mm launcher hardware. GATR will be particularly effective in urban areas or against targets where a low collateral damage solution is required. The GATR system fills the gap between larger, more expensive guided missiles and the current family of unguided rockets.

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