M-20H

M-20H
An M-20H under the wing of a MATAR MTBT2 Qarsan.
Type	Precision guided munition
Place of origin	Riysa
Service history
In service	2014-current
Used by	Riysian Arab Aerospace Force
Production history
Designed	2012-2014
Manufacturer	Shihab Design Bureau
Unit cost	$30,000 (export, M-20H) $35,000 (export, M-20H1)
Produced	2014-present
Specifications
Weight	27 kg (60 lb)
Length	1,000 mm (39 in)
Diameter	180 mm (7.1 in)
Maximum firing range	500 m - 8 km (M-20H) 500 m - 14 km (M-20H1)
Warhead	13.5 kg high-explosive (M) 12.3 kg thermobaric (FGh) 8 kg tandem-charge (MD)
Guidance system	Semi-active laser homing (SALH)
Accuracy	<3 m CEP (estimated 1 m)
References

The M-20H is a Riysian unpowered, lightweight laser-guided munition, created by the Shihab Design Bureau for UCAVs. Derived from Shihab's SMD-20 Sijjil air-to-surface missile, the M-20 was specifically developed to arm the MATAR MTBT2 Qarsan UCAV in partnership with MATAR. Since then it has been adapted as a standard armament for all other Riysian UCAVs, and is claimed to be highly accurate against fast moving and stationary targets. In 2019, an upgraded version adding GPS/INS guidance entered production, offering lock-on after launch (LOAL) capability and increased accuracy.

Development

Originally, the Shihab SMD-20 Sijjil tactical missile, a Riysian equivalent to the AGM-114 Hellfire, was meant to be integrated onto MATAR's Qarsan combat drone, creating the first Riysian UCAV and UAV-sized munition. However, with a weight of 50 kilograms, the missile turned out to be too heavy for the UCAV's wings during integration tests. While the first batch of Qarsan drones were delivered unarmed, Shihab looked to modifying the SMD-20 to create a usable weapon, saving time and money instead of creating a clean-sheet design. By removing the now unnecessary rocket motor, and substituting the expensive dual seeker and computer for a simpler laser seeker and cheaper electronics, the Sijjil was transformed into a cheap and effective micro munition. As the new munition was essentially a small guided bomb, it received a standardized aerial bomb designation, becoming the M-20H.

The first batches of M-20H munitions were equipped with only a laser guidance system. In 2019, a compact INS/GPS module was added to the guidance system, increasing accuracy and giving it LOAL capability, extending the munition's range in certain conditions.

Design

Guidance

Primary guidance of the M-20H is from an Iskanderon Optics-designed laser seeker, derived from the 2LB seekers used on some Riysian laser-guided munitions. It has a maximum detection range of 8 km. This seeker operates on the widely used 1064 nm wavelength (Nd:YAG lasers), and features an optical interference filter designed to block interference and false returns, as well as a metal mesh grid over the seeker to block electromagnetic interference.