Israeli Defence Companies at Paris Air Show 2019

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the new tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) of the Heron Family: the T-Heron. Designed for tactical missions on the battlefield, the T-Heron is expected to be used extensively by ground troops and coastal guards, as well as by other protection forces. With a versatile design and suitable for a variety of payloads, it features the most advanced IAI technologies.The T-Heron joins IAI’s Heron UAS Family, which boasts ‘rich know-how and extensive experience’ of over 40 years, over 1,700,000 combat flight hours and over 50 operational customers, which use IAI UAS’s in a range of missions, environmental conditions and warfare theatres across the globe.The T-heron features one of the ‘highest levels of flight safety and reliability’ and is resistant to extreme weather conditions. Its proven Rotax engine takes it to a maximum altitude of 24,000 feet, speed of 120 knots and supports useful payloads of up to 180 kg. Capable of carrying several payloads concurrently, and equipped with IAI’s sensors, the T-Heron complies with global standards, including STANAG 4671 requirements.

Illustration of the T-Heron (Credit: IAI)

IAI ELTA Launches Next Gen ELM-2084 MMR Radar

ELTA Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), unveiled the next generation of the ELM-2084 Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) at the Paris Airshow. The operational and combat proven MMR provides air defence capabilities to customers around the world as well as being the radar of “Iron Dome”, “David’s Sling” and IAI’s land-based “Barak” weapon systems. The new version, named MS-MMR (Multi-Sensor MMR), fuses additional ELTA sensors to the main MMR system thereby providing an active, passive, and combined Air Situational Picture (ASP). Over the last decade, new types of aerial threats have emerged due to the advancement of low RCS (Radar Cross Section) stealth technology. Platforms such as drones and UAVs, tactical aerial weapons, cruise missiles, and ballistic rockets and missiles have all created new challenges to air defence and surveillance systems. This created a demand for ASP systems to provide higher accuracy, faster update rates and upgraded identification of aerial threats while increasing the need for survivability in the modern battlefield. Operating in S-Band frequency, the MMR provides long-range air defence, air surveillance and fire control capabilities. By fusing the MMR with an additional higher band radar and active IFF and ADS-B sensors and passive SIGINT, EO/IR and LDS (Launch Detector Sensor) sensors, the MS-MMR now provides enhanced classification, identification and discrimination between very close targets even in dense areas and background clutter. The MS-MMR significantly improves the reliability of the ASP and Situational Awareness, and can efficiently handle new types of small, low, slow and hovering RCS threats as well as handling rockets and missiles of varying ranges. Since all the sensors are co-located and integrated at the system level, the MS-MMR provides a single output for all the fused data. This greatly simplifies the delivery of the combined target data into C2 ASP networks. 

IAI orders Orbit's Airborne Audio Solution for Heron TP

Orbit Communications Systems Ltd. announced that Israel Aerospace Industries has placed a $US1.8 million order for Orbit's Orion airborne audio management systems for integration aboard its next-generation medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) Heron TP unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Delivery of the systems is expected in 2019 and 2020. Orbit's Orion enables essential communications between the UAV and civil Air Traffic Control (ATC) and other ground stations.

Embraer and ELTA to create a new market segment with the launch of the P600 AEW

Embraer Defense & Security and ELTA Systems Ltd signed at the 53rd International Paris Air Show a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to introduce the P600 AEW (Airborne Early Warning). Designed to compete in a new segment of the AEW market, this next generation aircraft is based on the advanced super midsize platform of the Embraer Praetor 600 business jet. The primary sensor of the P600 AEW is the IAI/ELTA 4th generation Digital Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with integrated IFF capabilities.In this cooperation, Embraer Defense & Security is to provide the air platform, ground support, communications systems and aircraft integration while ELTA is to provide the AEW radar, SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) and other electronic systems and system integration.

The P600 AEW can provide an extended Air Situational Picture by monitoring aerial activity in areas outside ground radar coverage. It can perform various missions such as air defence, early warning, command and control, fighter fleet efficiency, territorial defence, and maritime surveillance. Also, the P600 AEW can be configured with the full range of AEW&C sensor and control systems, including; 4th generation Digital AESA AEW radar, civil and military IFF, ESM/ELINT with Radar Warning Receiver capability, Command & Control, comprehensive communication suite including Data Networks and Satellite Links, and a robust Self Protection Suite (SPS).

“As part of IAI’s new strategy, we are ramping up our collaborations with global business entities, leveraging the know-how and technology accumulated over decades of aerospace and defence operations. As the pioneers of the bizjet AEW, ELTA Systems has made large strides over the years towards offering cost effective AEW capabilities for the growing and changing global needs”, statedYoavTourgeman, ELTA President & IAI Executive VP. “Our partnership, forged with Embraer Defense & Security, enables us to introduce a new market segment by offering a cost effective midsize bizjet AEW system”.

Elbit Hermes 45 debuts at the Paris Airshow 2019

 Elbit Systems' Hermes 45 Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) marked its first appearance at the Company's static display area (A-8) at the Paris Airshow 2019.  Hermes 45 offers a’ unique combination’ of extended range and duration with point launch and recovery, to and from land and maritime platforms thus enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities at the brigade and division levels and also for naval squadron units.Hermes 45 features flight range of 200km or an extended Beyond Line of Sight range (via Satellite Communication) and an internal payload bay that supports multi-payload operation, including EO/IR, Marine-Radar, Terrain Dominance, Electronic Warfare (EW) and communications. The Hermes 45 is operated by a two-person crew, launched from a short onboard platform rail, and is recovered by an automated spot landing system.

Rafael unveils a unique SAR feature for its Litening and Reccelite EO pods

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. unveiled itsupgraded fifth generation Litening and Reccelite systems, effectively transforming them from traditional EO pods into EO+, with the addition of a unique SAR feature and the optional application of additional EO+ features, such as (EW, Comm, IRST).This constitutes a revolutionary quantum leap in all-weather, stand-off targeting and reconnaissance pods.

The Litening+ SAR is an advanced, all-weather, stand-off, SAR-optimised targeting pod. Litening is the most popular pod in the world, with over 1900 units already in service. They are deployed by 27 Air Forces around the world.Rafael teamed with ELTA to equip Litening with a powerful SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), adding significant capabilities to the Litenings's EO, multi-spectral, stand-off pod, significantly expanded wide area coverage and true day/night, all-weather operation. This first-ever addition of SAR to an EO pod solves the EO challenge of target identification when flying above clouds.The high-performance SAR sensor joins Litening’s set of high-resolution MWIR, SWIR, and HD color sensors ‒ all incorporated in a single, sophisticated stand-off pod. Reducing pilot workload, Litening + SAR increases mission efficiency through full support of JDAM, LGB and INS/GPS-guided munitions. The pods are equipped with a laser designator, and laser marker for joint missions, as well as an optional Data Link for CAS missions and stand-off ranges.

Reccelite + SARis one of Rafael’s latest game-changers, with the addition of ELTA’s powerful SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) to the, stand-off Reccelite ISR pod. Overcoming the EO reconnaissance challenge when flying above clouds, the SAR-optimised pod delivers true all-weather, day/night, all-terrain, long-range capabilities, providing a full aerial intelligence picture ‒ with high-resolution images.The Reccelite ISR system consists of an airborne ISR pod, a wideband digital Data Link, and a GES (Ground Exploitation System) which can be stationary, mobile, or located on board the aircraft. The powerful SAR radar joins the system’s array of advanced, high-resolution NIR, SWIR, MWIR and color sensors, together simultaneously collecting stabilized high-quality multi-spectral imagery from an unlimited field-of-regard. 

Scanning modes include Strip, Persistent Wide Area, Gate Keeping and more. Reccelite’s mission plan can be uploaded prior to takeoff or uplinked during flight, and either performed automatically, or manually controlled for targets of opportunity. Reccelite is deployed by more than 10 Air Forces around the world. The system is integrated and operational on multiple aircraft types, including the AMX, F-16, F-18, Gripen, Heron 1, Jaguar, Reaper, Tornado, and Typhoon.

UVision -Hero-400EC Multi Launcher

 

Elbit Systems Launches Condor MS

 

Elbit Systems launched the Condor MS, a new Long Range Oblique Photography (LOROP) system that introduces Multi-Spectral (MS) sensing capability and Artificial Intelligence (AI) analytics to stand-off strategic intelligence gathering missions.Condor MS integrates three high resolution Electro Optic (EO) sensors into the Company’s certified and widely operational Condor2 system: Visible and Near Infra-Red (VNIR), Medium-Wave Infrared (MWIR), and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR). The unique combination of multi-spectral sensing, high level of stabilisation and auto image enhancement enables the new system to dramatically extend coverage area in day, night and adverse weather conditions thereby improving the strategic reconnaissance output while increasing the survivability of the platforms. Deep learning algorithms and precise geo-location enable the Condor MS to identify a large number of targets at extremely high rates, hence significantly shortening the time frame needed to close sensor-to-shooter loops.

Aeronautics Group present the Orbiter 4 at the Paris Air Show

 

Aeronautics Group presented its wide range of comprehensive defence solutions and UAS platforms.The Company displayed its flagship UAV Orbiter 4, a tactical UAV system from the Orbiter family. The unique features of Orbiter 4 includes endurance of more than 20 hours and ability to carry two different payloads at the same time. For example, the Orbiter 4 can carry a maritime patrol radar (MPR) together with a cellular interception sensor, and conduct land or maritime ISTAR missions beyond Line Of Sight.Alongside its line of UAS's, the company also presented the Pegasus 120: Aeronautics' first multi mission VTOL platform. Relying on its wide knowledge and experience in the field of unmanned aerial solutions, Aeronautics has recently stepped into the field of multi-rotor platforms, with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) solutions designed especially for defence and security mission. With the ability to carry payloads weighting up to 75 kg, the Pegasus 120 is ideal for special missions and Special Forces.

Together with the Orbiter 4 and Pegasus 120, Aeronautics also presented therest of the Orbiter family:Orbiter 1K loitering unmanned system, Orbiter 2 Small UAS and Orbiter 3 Small Tactical UAS.In addition, after recently completing the acquisition of the US company: CP Technologies, Aeronautics displayed a rugged computer system made by CP, which will resemble a mobile operating station in field conditions.

Estonia joins the Spike missile Family

At a ceremony in Tallinn, Estonia, the Estonian MoD signed a 40M Euro Framework agreement with Eurospike (a European Joint Venture between Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, Diehl Defence and RheinmettalDefence) for the supply of Spike LR ATGM’s, launchers and associated maintenance and training. The contract included ICLU (Integrated Control Launch Units) launchers and live Spike rounds. Spike is a cutting-edge precise, multi-platform, multi-mission and multi-range electro-optical missile Family, with capabilities of fire-and-forget, as well as fire, observe and update, allowing attack of hidden targets. Estonia is the 32nduser nation of the SPIKE missile, and the 19thuseramong the EU and NATO. More than 30,000 Spike missiles have been supplied to-date around the world, with over 5500 Spike missiles firings, both in training and in combat.The missile and launcher cross-nation commonality enables nations to manage joint Spike missile stocks, create joint procurement and maintain mutual support.

Rafael Spike LR fired from an Oshkosh JLTV

 

For the 16th year in a row, the Spike Users Club gathered, this time in Slovenia.The Spike missile Users Club Meeting (SUCM) was founded by the SPIKE user nations in June 2003, and has become a unique platform for the nations to share their knowledge and experience in using the Spike missiles, discuss lessons learned in maintenance and live-firings in training, as well as tactical lessons in combat.Developed and produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Spike is a 5th generation, precise electro-optical missile in use today by 31 nations (18 of which are EU & NATO members). During the conference, the Slovenian Army launched two Spike missiles, both from a portable launcher as well as for the first time ever from an Oshkosh JLTV vehicle, which was integrated with RafaeL's Mini MLS Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), which includes a SPIKE vehicle-mounted missile launcher. The two Spike missiles hit their target precisely (both in IR and day mode). In addition, the innovative Firefly miniature close combat loitering munition was demonstrated, extracted from a canister by the maneuvering infantry, in vertical takeoff, and engaging targets beyond-line-of-sight. 

Elbit’sMaritime UAS Patrol Service to EU

 Elbit Systems has started operating the maritime UAS patrol service available to countries in the European Union (EU) under a contract between the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the Portuguese company CEiiA. Iceland is the first EU country to use this particular long-range UAS patrol service. The Icelandic maritime authorities based the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol operation at the Egilsstaðir airport in the East of the island, from which maritime UAS patrol has the capability of covering more than half of the Icelandic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).