Elbit

Elbit Demonstrated Drone’s Search & Rescue Flights

Posted on by Techtime

Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) successfully completed a series of flight demonstrations for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the UK. The demonstrations were designed to test the capabilities of using a UAS for long-range Search and Rescue civilian missions. Taking place off the West Coast of Wales over the first two weeks of September, the Hermes 900 was able to fly Beyond Line of Sight missions in full alignment with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

In the demonstration, the Hermes 900 equipped with search and rescue specific radar, an Automatic Identification System, EO/IR payload, an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and full satellite communications, was deployed on a range of missions that simulated shore-line rescues, water rescues in dangerous air space and long-distance ship rescues which crossed international air space lines.

With a wingspan of 15m, the 1.2 ton, Hermes 900 is already deployed with more than a dozen advanced customers around the globe providing search, rescue and reconnaissance capabilities. The Company offers extended life-saving capabilities with its recently launched Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol configuration with inflated life-rafts for detection, identification and saving the lives of survivors at sea. It was revealed that this configuration was delivered to an undisclosed customer in South-East Asia.

Elbit Systems Awarded $79 Million Contract to Supply Hand Stations for the Bradley IFV

Posted on by Techtime

Elbit Systems announced that its subsidiary Elbit Systems of America, was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract by the Defense Logistics Agency Land to supply the U.S. Army with gunner hand stations, commander hand stations and circuit cards for the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The contract, with a maximum value of up to approximately $79 million, will be performed over a 5-year period.

An initial purchase order of approximately $26 million under the contract followed by a second purchase order of approximately $12 million have been issued to be executed over a three-year period. The gunner hand stations enable crew members to target and fire accurately and work in collaboration with the commander hand stations that drive the IFV’s turret and initiate signals to the turret fire control systems. The circuit cards provide processing and power supply to the hand station units.

This is a follow-on order: In October 2016 it received a $7.3 million contract to supply the Bradley’s Hand Station. The Gunner’s Hand Station provides Bradley vehicle gunners the ability to acquire their target and fire accurately. Working in collaboration with the Commander’s Hand Station, the Gunner’s Hand Station is used to drive the rate of movement of the Bradley turret and to initiate control signals to the turret fire control systems in the Bradley M2A3/M3A3 vehicle.

In addition to the Gunner’s Hand Station, Elbit Systems of America also provides the Commander’s Hand Station and the Turret Processing Unit for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

THOR VTOL Completed Environmental Qualifications

Posted on by Techtime

Elbit Systems’ THOR, a multi-rotor Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) mini UAS, successfully completed a series of environmental qualification tests. In October, 2019, Elbit was awarded a $153 million contract to provide a networked multi-layered UAS array to an army in Southeast Asia, including more than 1,000 THOR VTOL units.

The tests demonstrated the capability of THOR to maintain operability in temperatures varying from minus 40ºC up to 65ºC, withstand hard gusting rain and rough vibrations, and resist penetration and damage from blowing sand and dust. THOR VTOL mini-UAS is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions over land and at sea.

Electrically propelled, it is capable of carrying up to three kg of payloads and has a flight duration capability of up to 75 minutes of operation, a maximal range of 10 kilometers and a flight ceiling of up to 2,000 ft. With an automatic takeoff and landing capability and autonomous mission flight, it can be used for operation in urban areas with non-line of sight communication, as well as in marine zones.

It will be delivered as part of a networked multi-layered UAS solution, including also scores of Skylark LEX, Skylark 3 and Hermes 450 tactical UAS as well as Universal Ground Control Stations.

THOR VTOL during tests of hard gusting rain
THOR VTOL during tests of hard gusting rain

 

Elbit to Provide a Networked UAS Array to an Army in Asia

Posted on by Techtime

Elbit Systems announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $153 million to supply an Army of a country in Southeast Asia with a multi-layered array of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The contract will be performed over a 22-month period. Elbit Systems will supply a networked multi-layered UAS solution, including more than a thousand THOR Multi-Rotor Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) mini-UAS, scores of Skylark LEX, Skylark 3 and Hermes 450 tactical UAS and multiple Universal Ground Control Stations.

THOR (photo above) is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Mini – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), designed for low altitude surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Built from the ground up, THOR features a real-time HD data link and control software. With an automatic takeoff and landing capability and autonomous mission flight, it can operate in marine zones and urban areas with non-line of sight communication. It carries payload of up to 3 kg, including dual EO/IR lightweight payload with endurance of up to 75 minutes.

Skylark 3 is a tactical mini UAV system (UAS) to the division, brigade and battalion levels. It is fitted for both dismounted and vehicle-based operation. The platform is based on the battle-proven Skylark I-LEX, with over 30 international customers and tens of thousands of operational sorties. It provides service ceiling of 15,000 ft. with range of 100 km and endurance of 6 hours in the air.

Hermes 450 is a mature and combat proven platform with more than 300,000 operational flight hours during the last decade. It can reach a service ceiling of 18,000 ft. and to carry 180 kg payload for missions as long as 17 hours each. Hermes 450 is the backbone of the UK Watchkeeper program.

 

IMoD Selected Elbits’ Active Protection System for the Eitan AFV

Posted on by Techtime

The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) selected Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IFLD) Active Protection System (APS), for the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) Eitan new eight-wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) and the D-9 Bulldozer. The selection of the IFLD for the IDF’s Eitan AFV comes on the heels of the decision by the U.S. Army to proceed with the IFLD for the Bradley AFV.

Iron Fist current configuration includes optical sensors, RADA’s CHR radar, launchers and countermeasure munitions to defeat threats at a safe distance from the defended combat vehicles. The system provides full hemispherical protection coverage for close-range scenarios in both open terrain and urban environments.

The Eitan is an 8-wheeled vehicle weighing approximately 30-35 tons. It has a top speed of 90 km/h and can carry 12 men including 3 crew, a 30 mm gun and a missile firing position. The Eitan is planned to replace hundreds of outdated M113s vehicles still in active service.

The Iron Fist incorporates RADA’s software defined Compact Hemispheric Radars (CHR). Dov Sella, RADA’s CEO, said: “We are working with Elbit/IMI for over a decade on the development and testing of the Iron Fist APS, and have continuously improved our radar capabilities. We estimate the total available market of radars for APS at over $2.5 billion globally. Based on the Israeli and US selections of the Iron Fist, we anticipate accelerated global interest by many modern armed forces who seek to enhance defensive capabilities for their AFVs”.

Demonstration of Iron Fist series of Active Protection System:

 

 

Elbit is one of Top 10 players in Cognitive EW

Posted on by Techtime

Photo above: Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 UAS

A recent report made by BIS Research, Elbit Systems from Israel is mentioned as one of the 10 key players in emerging global Cognitive Electronic Warfare systems market. BIS estimates that the market will witness high growth during 2023-2028, as cognitive electronic warfare systems have the capability to help overcome the problem of reprogramming the electronic warfare models.

“Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with computational hardware are likely to revolutionize the electronic warfare (EW) systems.” According to BIS Research analysis, the global cognitive electronic warfare system market is expected to report a revenue of $385.7 million in 2023 and is estimated to cross $928.4 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 19.20% during 2023-2028.

The analysts indicate that since cognitive EW systems make use of AI and machine learning techniques, they are expected to overcome most of the drawbacks of current electronic warfare system, such as incapability of handling excessive load and being non-responsive to unknown threats. This market is expected to witness a high growth rate owing to countries such as the U.S., Russia, and China, who plan to implement artificial intelligence (AI) in the military.

A European Surprise in the Market

AI is required for handling the data and information of huge sensors and communication networks, as the quantity of information is increasing. AI and machine learning offer potential benefits to military organizations by providing fast and high-quality data, which can support in deep analysis of complex and strategic data. Europe, including some of the major companies such as the U.K, Brazil, Russia, Germany, and France is the most prominent region for the cognitive electronic warfare systems market.

North America is the second most prominent regions, which is continuously progressing in the field of cognitive electronic warfare systems market. According to Swati Chaturvedi, Senior Research Analyst at BIS Research, Europe is one of the most prominent regions for the growth of the global cognitive EW market and will dominate it in 2023. “Europe is keenly focusing and investing in the research and development of AI for military.

“However, the geographical analysis of this market unveils an immense potential for its growth in the region of North America. Similarly, the Asia-Pacific market is also likely to witness numerous growth opportunities during the forecast period 2023-2028.” According to BIS Research, the 10 key players in the global cognitive electronic warfare system market are BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, General Dynamics, Harris Corporation, Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Company, Saab AB, Textron Inc., and Thales Group.

Lethal AI: Rafael unveiled Deep-Learning Target Recognition

Posted on by Techtime

Photo above: SPICE-250 under the wings of F-16

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced that it has successfully tested and demonstrated a new Automatic Target Recognition capability for its SPICE-250 air-to-surface munition. The newly-unveiled ATR feature is a technological breakthrough, enabling SPICE-250 to learn the specific target characteristics ahead of the strike, using advanced AI and deep-learning technologies.

During flight, the pilot selects the target type to be attacked and allocates a target to each weapon. The weapons are launched towards the vicinity of the targets, using their INS for initial navigation. When approaching the target area, the weapons use the ATR mode for detection and recognition of the targets. Each weapon homes-in on the pre-defined target, either autonomously or with a human-in-the-loop, aided by the ATR algorithm.

SPICE (250, 1000, 2000) is a family of autonomous, air-to-ground weapon systems that attack targets with pinpoint accuracy without depending on GPS navigation in GPS-denied environments. It has a standoff range of 100 kilometers, and can be equipped with either general purpose or penetration 75kg class warhead. SPICE-250 uses a common aircraft interface and Smart Quad Rack (SQR) which simplifies the effort needed for aircraft integration. Four SPICE-250 weapons are carried on each SQR. SPICE is combat-proven with the Israeli Air Force and in operational service with a number of international customers.

Elbit Announced Deep Learning Photography Pod

AI is gradually become a reality in the modern battlefield. This week, Elbit Systems  launched its 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 & Near Infra-Red (VNIR), Medium-Wave Infrared (MWIR), and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR).

Elbit said in a press release that this unique combination extends coverage area in day, night and adverse weather conditions. Deep learning algorithms and precise geo-location enable the CONDOR MS to identify a large number of targets at extremely high rates.The CONDOR family of systems is integrated onboard a variety of platforms. Among them the F-16 A/B/C/D/I, F-4, SU-30 as well as B-737.