The Al-Tariq 'Morningstar' - History, Design, Performance & Discussion

SP_Sabre · May 18, 2025, 9:11pm

The Al-Tariq: The Luminous Star Piercing Darkness

Summary

Weight Classes: 120, 250, 450 kg
Weight of the Weapon: for Al-Tariq LR with Mk82: 366 kg
Weight of the Seeker + Wing kit: 89 kg
Guidance: GNSS/IMU with IIR (ATR), SAL, GNSS
Designations:
- 250kg – INS/GNSS/IMU with IIR (ATR), INS/GNSS/SAL, INS/GNSS (Al-Tariq S)
- 250kg with Wing Kit - GNSS/IMU with IIR (ATR), INS/GNSS/SAL, INS/GNSS (Al-Tariq LR)
Range Figures:
- Range: Dropped from 40,000 ft (~12km) at Mach 0.9
  - 30-45+ km (Al-Tariq S)
  - 90-120+ km (Al-Tariq LR)
Maneuverability:
- Off-Boresight Capabilities of ≤ 90° (Al-Tariq S)
- Off-Boresight Capabilities of ≤ 180° (Al-Tariq LR)
Fuze Settings: Impact Fuze, Proximity Fuze for Area Targeting, Airburst for Soft and Aerial Targets (Pre-set or selectable from Cockpit)
Seeker Capabilities:
- Fire & Forget
- Lock-on Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-on After Launch (LOAL) capable
- Multi-target simultaneous attack
- Re-targeting capability (Mid-Flight)
- Selectable heading and angle of attack
- Programmable Height of Burst Sensor (HOBS)
- Insensitive to GPS jamming, inaccessibility and target location errors
- Accuracy in the 10-metre class (GNSS), ≤ 3-metre class (SAL and IIR with ATR)
Compatibility:
- Fully integrated with Mirage 2000-9 and F-16E/F Block 60 (Egypt)
- Planned integration with HAL Tejas and Rafale
- Tested on the Atlas Cheetah, Mirage F1, BAE Hawk Mk120
- Potential equipment on OA-1K
- Adaptability kit offered for Russian platforms
Limitations:
- Compatible with Single Pylons
- Maximum Allowed Release Speed: Mach 0.9

History & General Information

Al-Tariq is an Emirati-made Family of precision-guided Air-To-Surface munitions developed by Tawazun (Barij) Dynamics a joint venture between Tawazun, a UAE-based company, and Denel Dynamics, a South African arms development and manufacturing firm. Tawazun was integrated into the Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC) and consolidated into Al-Tariq under the EDGE group.

Al Tariq’s development initiated as Umbani under Denel Dynamics in the early 2000s. Under the South African-Emirati joint venture of Tawazun Dynamics, the Al-Tariq is the first of several precision guided weapons offered by the EDGE group’s cooperation. It was first introduced in late (November) 2013 with the UAE Air Force and Air Defense (UAE AF&AD).

Development:

The development of the Al Tariq (Umbani) began in 2002 as an augmentation program of the Raptor 2 under Denel Dynamics.
In 2012, Denel Dynamics announced a joint venture with the EDGE Group at the Africa Aerospace and Defense show in Pretoria, South Africa.
A variant of the Umbani, dubbed the “Al-Tariq,” is the first product offered by this partnership with the EDGE group.
In 2013, Denel Dynamics and Tawazun won a 5 billion Rand precision guided munitions contract for the UAE’s Mirage 2000-9 fighters.
By 2016, 600 Al-Tariq guided weapons were delivered to the UAE

Design & Features:

Al-Tariq is a modular system, allowing adaptability for different bomb sizes (120 kg, 250 kg, and 450 kg), a seeker featuring different guidance systems and a Long-Range Kit (LR).
Guidance Systems: Currently, Al-Tariq offers three Seeker systems: GNSS/IMU with IIR, SAL and GNSS.
Al-Tariq boasts a significant range, further extended by use of a Long-Range (LR) Wing kit. It offers high accuracy, with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 10 meters (GNSS), and a CEP as low as ≤ 3 meters (GNSS/IMU with IIR, and SAL).
Al-Tariq is equipped with an IMS increasing accuracy and performing flight operations with minimal drift.
Fire-and-Forget Capability: Once launched, the missile requires minimal operator input, allowing the aircraft to engage multiple targets at the same time.
All-Weather, Day & Night Capability: Al-Tariq can be employed in various weather conditions, and times of day.

Operational History:

The Al-Tariq has been used in combat operations in Yemen.
It has been used by aircraft like Mirage 2000, F16 and some UAVs.
Al-Tariq has been used in various combat scenarios, including close air support, air interdiction, and deep strike missions.

Additional Details:

Al-Tariq is currently in service with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with exports to Egypt and plans for India.
Al-Tariq’s modular design and advanced guidance systems make it a versatile and adaptable weapon system.

Weapons Capabilities and Information

Al Tariq is a modular design that provides versatility when it comes to Seeker Choice, Bomb Sizes and Long Range (LR) kits.

Seeker Capabilities

Spoiler

Currently, Al-Tariq allows interchange between 3 seeker options:

INS/GNSS: The guidance available with the base package Al-Tariq. Both the SAL and IIR seekers function in cooperation with this base system, often acting as guidance in the terminal phase. With the input of coordinates into the system, Al-Tariq is guided to the target by satellite assistance.

INS/GNSS/SAL: Through use of a semi-active laser in terminal guidance, targets are illuminated by a ground or airborne laser designator.

INS/GNSS/IMU with IIR (ATR): The most advanced seeker installed on the Al-Tariq, utilizes a combination of Satellite Guidance, an Inertial Measurement Unit, and an IIR seeker allowing for Automated Tracking Recognition (ATR).

All 3 seeker options retain full capability and accuracy under all weather and time of day conditions. They are considered able to operate as Fire & Forget and support multi-targeting. Both systems incorporating SAL and IIR are capable of tracking moving targets.

Configuration with Bombs

Spoiler

Al-Tariq is configured for use with 3 weight class of bombs: 125kg, 250 kg, and 450kg. Their contemporaries are as follows:

125 kg: Mk.81
250 kg: Mk.82
450 kg: Mk.83

Block 2

Spoiler

Upgrading the capabilities of the Al-Tariq, the more advanced system integrates a new penetration warhead allowing installation of more purpose-built warheads for targeting strategic infrastructure like bridges, bunkers, control centers and fortifications. The Block 2 enhancement also includes a more mature navigation solution, new Height-Of-Burst-Sensor (HOBS) capability for airburst. The upgrade features a new “PowerPack” allowing equipping of the weapons system with a pre-flight power source and leveraging greater mission flexibility through cockpit fuze programmability. The new system incorporates the latest GNSS Receiver technology and a sophisticated GPS anti-jamming solution.

Long Range Kit (LR)

Spoiler

Designed to increase the Al-Tariq’s range, it is estimated to surpass the initial capabilities of 30-45+ km with an extended range of 90-120+ km.

A proposal for a turbojet powered Long-Range kit, dubbed “Rapier,” extend the range of Al-Tariq to a standoff at 280+ km. The kit is also supposed to integrate flip fins allowing for a 700mm tail span. Functionally, Al-Tariq “Rapier” projects a dynamic flight profile, allowing for multi-waypoint navigation, improved targeting, and adaptability to mid-flight mission threats.

The Purpose of this Thread

I created this document because of the curiosity I had with this weapons system. I hope to create discussion and encourage talk of more creative and unconventional weapons systems from less traditional manufacturers across the world.