The LAHAT is designed to achieve a 95 percent probability of kill under most conditions.[4] It has a semi-active laser guidance system, capable of both direct and indirect laser designation—the target can be laser-designated by the launching platform (e.g. firing tank) or other platform (e.g. another tank, helicopter, UAV, or forward scouting team), requiring minimal exposure in the firing position. With a low launch signature, the missile's trajectory can be set to match either top attack (armoured fighting vehicle, warship) or direct attack (helicopter gunship) engagements.
The LAHAT missile has a range of up to 8,000 m (5.0 mi) when launched from a ground platform, and up to 13,000 m (8.1 mi) when deployed from high elevation. The time of flight to a target at 4,000 m (2.5 mi) is 14 seconds and the missile hits the target at an accuracy of 0.7 m (2.3 ft) circular error probable (CEP) and an angle of over 30 degrees, providing effective penetration of up to 800 mm (31 in) of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) steel with its tandem-charge warhead to deal with add-on reactive armor.[5][2] In any tank, the LAHAT is stowed in the ammunition rack and handled otherwise like any other type of ammunition.
The LAHAT was renamed the "Nimrod-SR" for the Latin American market.[6]
The LAHAT has been successfully test-fired from a helicopter in demonstrations. Eight missiles were launched at targets up to 10 km (6.2 mi) away, from altitudes between 300 and 6,000 ft (91 and 1,829 m). Firings were conducted while the helicopter was hovering, and moving, at targets that were fixed, and moving. One direct hit was scored using the helicopter's observation capability along with laser designation from ground forces.[8]
