Israel is Fielding a Tactical Intelligence Collection Vehicle
The IDF new Granite tactical intelligence collection vehicle is based on Elta Systems' ISRV system. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense Update
Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Field Intelligence Corps’s has fielded an advanced reconnaissance vehicle called ‘Granite’, based on IAIs’ EL/I-3302 Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance Vehicle (ISRV) developed by ELTA Systems Ltd. Elta has integrated the mission payload on the SandCat, an armored vehicle based on Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Ford 550 model. The vehicle has full armor protection and concealed telescopic mast, which can be erected rapidly as the vehicle halts.
Granite will augment and later, replace HMMWV based Racoon, delivered by Rafael in the early 2000s. Both vehicles are equipped with mast mounted multi-sensor payloads comprising a surveillance radar, and day/night electro-optical observation system.
Granite is based on Elta Systems' ISRV - based on the Plasan SandCat platform. Photo: IAI
Unlike the task specific Racoon, ISRV was designed to provide a as a hub for tactical intelligence gathering operations. The system architecture, user interface and reduced workload enables operation by multiple users assigned to different tasks, or a single operator supporting routine surveillance activity through semi-automated means,including slaving EO payloads to the targets spotted by the radar.
The vehicle carries the new EL/M-2207 electronically scanner array (AESA) detecting man-size targets at a distance of eight kilometers, with EO payloads such as long range POP-300 recognizing such targets from seven kilometers and designating targets for engagement by precision guided weapons. Elta designed the ISRV to deploy forward observations using the Man Portable Ground Observation & Surveillance System (MNPGOSS) and lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles, supporting manned or unmanned forward observations. The system also integrates with supported units can be performed over the IDF new ‘digital army program’ (Zayad).
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at 17:03
This is a very impressive, top-of-the-line, high-performance Intelligence Collection system. However, with all due respect for the very robust FORD F-550 4X4 half-trucks, used by IDF both as a build for Rafael by Hatehof Wolf / Ze’ev armored car version, as well as IDF’s Sand-Cat armored car build by Plasan of Israel – these two are NOT really heavy-terrain going vehicles! I wonder, why hasn’t the IDF ordered, and why hasn’t the IAI put all this very advanced equipment on another platform, which will go just ANYWHERE, as far as the super-heavy terrain is concerned, namely ZIBAR MK 2, in its heavy-jeep, or in its truck configuration, since ZIBAR can also be made as an armored vehicle, resistant to 5,56 mm / 7,62 mm ammo, also with partially V-shaped, mine/IED anti-blast hull.
at 17:12
Marek
I agree the Hummve is much more of an ATV than the Ford but question is does it fit Israel’s needs?
If the Sand-Cat is suitable for the needs of the IDF and they would rather stick it on one of them rather than a Hummve then does it matter?
If the system was exported I imagine they could mount it on just about any vehicle the client chose, its just the IDF who want it on a Sand-Cat.
at 23:12
Yes, of course Brett, the IDF is the king, since they are paying for all this, so – if they want a Ford 4X4, here called SandCat, in stead of something “real” – then, that’s their choise. At least this SandCat is resonably well armored. In the matter of fact I was not talking here about any US Hummve (i.e. Hummer), but about something 250 % better, as far as really very heavy terrain is concerned, namely the Israeli ZIBAR MK 2. The reason is, that in a short “Zibar”-movie you can see such Zibar Mk 2 equipped with very advanced optical equipment, mounted on the telescopic mast, going practically everywhere. But, going everywhere is obviously not the IDF’s top priority.