The US Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier has selected the HERO-90 loitering munition for its Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program, fast-tracking evaluation for dismounted anti-armor needs. Announced by Mistral Inc. and UVision Inc., this move thrusts the man-portable system into a competitive assessment phase, prioritizing precision standoff weapons for infantry amid lessons from high-intensity wars.
HERO-90 emerges as a game-changer for small units, offering backpack-portable loitering munitions with mid-range strike power against armored vehicles and bunkers. A single soldier can launch it in under two minutes, enabling battlefield loiter until optimal engagement. Key specs include secure beyond-line-of-sight comms, EO/IR sensors, and top-attack modes—plus abort/re-engage flexibility for dynamic threats.
Part of UVision’s HERO family, the HERO-90 fills gaps where artillery or air support lags, tailored for soldier-borne ops. Mistral ensures seamless integration via Modular Open Systems Approach, “Common Control” standards, and compatibility with Soldier Precision Targeting Devices, dodging proprietary pitfalls in brigade kill chains.
This LASSO selection signals Army urgency for anti-armor loitering munitions, potentially paving procurement paths based on HERO-90’s performance, readiness, and scalability in complex environments.
