Israel’s Defence Industry

The Nation’s ever innovative defence industry continue to unveil new and cutting-edge technologies, exemplified by Elbit’s SkEye WAPS, Rafael’s SPIKE LR II, IAI’s Green Dragon, Controp’s High Definition Cameras, RADA’s Tactical Radars and the Aeronautics Tactical VTOL UAS. All these and others are of relevance to Indian requirements.

Elbit Systems SkEye WAPS

Elbit Systems has revealed its innovative wide area persistent surveillance solution, SkEye WAPS. Developed specifically to address requirements raised by defence and law enforcement agencies, responding to natural disaster recovery events, terrorism and homeland security threats, SkEye WAPS comprises advanced capabilities in the field of imagery intelligence gathering, providing a complete high-resolution picture and up to 80 square kilometre coverage of the Area of Interest (AOI) to a large number of users.

SkEye WAPS provides a clearer picture in lesser time, thus exponentially increasing trust in the decision making process. While looking over a large Area-of Interest (AOI), operators can zoom into multiple Regions of Interest (ROI) simultaneously and understand the connection between them. This is achieved without neglecting rest of the area, which is still being recorded and constantly analysed. At heart of the system is an airborne segment consisting of the EO sensor unit, an advanced image processing unit, a large mass storage unit and analysis applications. Via an embedded data link, the relevant information is transmitted from the aircraft to the SkEye, Control and Management Center (SCMC) (fixed or mobile), which can be integrated with the customer’s Command & Control (C2) solution.

Elbit introduces the SkyStriker

At the 2017 Paris Air Show Elbit Systems launched the SkyStriker, a remotely operated electro- optical, precise guided Loitering Munition (LM) designed to “seek, locate and engage” various targets for the tactical level corps. SkyStriker is able to locate, acquire and strike operator-marked targets enabling high-precision performance. The system’s electric propulsion provides a low acoustic signature and enables covert low altitude operations. Owing to its flight speed capability, it can cover a distance of tens of kilometers within minutes. Upon reaching the target area, it can loiter and pursue the target for up to two hours.

SkyStriker offers quick deployment and ease of operation in the field, provides forces with the ability to observe and identify an enemy target before delivering a rapid precision airstrike. Its remote operation capability reduces operators’ exposure to detection or enemy fire while guiding the LM to its target. In addition to high accuracy, long range and a significant loitering time, the SkyStriker is capable of carrying up to ten kilogrammes of munitions. The system also provides significant flexibility such as the ability to choose any target, to engage at any direction and in various angles (shallow to steep) while significantly decreasing costs. Moreover, SkyStriker enables the operator to abort a strike up to two seconds to impact, to re-engage and in case of lack of authorised targets to order a safe return home.

Controp’s unique, compact UAS payload

Controp Precision Technologies Ltd launched the T- Stamp- XR, its unique, compact payload for UAS with “exceptional thermal sensor optics” at the Paris Air Show 2017.

T-Stamp-XR, a new member of the Controp Stamp family of gyro-stabilised miniature EO/ IR payloads for UAS, weighs only 3.5kg. It is comprised of a high sensitivity HD day camera, a cooled thermal imaging (TI) camera, and an optional laser designator or laser pointer. The built-in INS on the Line-of-Sight provides precise and accurate target coordinates, geolocation, hold-to-coordinate and pointto-coordinate capabilities. The optional laser pointer is available for onboard target pointing. Additional features include onboard automatic video tracker, image enhancement, local automatic gain control (AGC), picture-in-picture (PIP), digital video output, and optional H.264 video output. The T-Stamp-XR enables tactical interoperability with other platforms in the theatre, and has low life-cycle costs due to a unique and high endurance cooled TI detector.

Controp Helicopter EO/IR payloads

Controp has announced sale of several iSky- 20HD ( formerly Shapo- HD) and iSky-50HD (formerly DSP-HD) EO/IR payloads to the Israeli Police, to be installed on new helicopters and integrated with Churchill Navigation Mission Systems.

Controp’s line of six medium and long-range aerial payloads (iSky-20, 20HD, 30, 30HD, 40 and 50HD) were uniquely developed for the challenging and often turbulent aerial environment and they provide solutions for most medium and long-range aerial surveillance platforms. Features include a continuous optical zoom lens in the day (or high definition-HD) and thermal imaging (SD/HD) cameras, gyrostabilised gimbals and multi sensor options including Eyesafe Laser Range Finder (ELRF) and/or Laser Pointer, all of which provide “outstanding” capabilities. The iSky systems can be installed on helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and unmanned aerial systems ( UAS), and may be integrated with the platforms’ systems. Ideal for manned or unmanned airborne platforms, all of the iSky systems include real-time Image Enhancement Features, built in INS, automatic target tracking and are successfully operated, fully integrated and deployed by Search and Rescue (SAR), border surveillance, law enforcement, special operations, maritime patrol and force protection units.

Rafael’s new SPIKE LR II

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have unveiled the Spike LR II, a new 5th generation variant of the Spike Family that can be fired from vehicles, helicopters, ships and ground launchers. The new missile was presented for the first time at the Paris Air Show in June. Rafael has meanwhile supplied over 27,000 Spike missiles and systems to over 26 countries.

Spike LR II is an advanced multipurpose missile, weighing only 12.7 kg, designed for modern warfare with almost full commonality to the Spike missile legacy and can be launched from any Spike launcher. For increased lethality, Spike LR II includes two unique state-of-the-art advanced and highly capable warhead configurations: a tandem HEAT warhead configuration, enhancing armour penetration capability by more than 30% and a new multipurpose blast warhead which includes controlled fusing (by the gunner) for control of the desired effect.