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In an interview to Defense Update, RAFAEL's VP R&D, Dr. Avi
Ginsburg outlined the trends RAFAEL is following in its pursuit for
the development of systems for modern asymmetric warfare and low
intensity conflict.
As the primary R&D center in Israel, RAFAEL, in cooperation with
Israel's Ministry of defense and
Directorate of Defense R&D (DDR&D), is always challenged with the
development of new means to equip the Israeli forces with the best,
most innovative means and weapon systems. However, the ongoing "Low
Intensity Conflict" (LIC) fought between the Palestinian and Israel's
military and security forces poses new aspects of asymmetric warfare,
which reflects on the requirements for new systems, and requests for
ad-hoc solutions.
"In the recent years RAFAEL was repeatedly requested to provide such
ad hoc solutions for unique issues" Dr. Ginsburg told Defense Update,
"When Palestinians improvised rockets were first launched at Israeli
towns and villages, RAFAEL was requested to deploy a highly accurate
artillery locating system which was under development at our labs. We
deployed this system, now known as "Red Dawn", which provides
selective early warning to every villages endangered by improvised
rockets launched fro the Gaza strip. These warnings enable the
civilian population to take cover, thus minimizing the risk of such
attacks. "Unlike previous acoustic-based systems, RAFAEL's 'Red Dawn'
is very accurate, to enable accurate prediction of impact point or
launch point, therefore, providing the Israeli population with
selective, and localized early warning while enabling the military to
localize and counteract against the launch sites."
Another challenge was the risk of subterranean warfare, also faced by
the IDF along the border with Gaza. Under cooperation with a Hadas,
the two companies are developing acoustic systems that are able to
detect and localize subterranean activity. According to Ginsburg, this
requirement posed a significant technological challenge that' once
solved, could be used for many commercial uses, including protection
of gas and oil pipelines.
Another "quick fix" solution is the use of
laser gun to neutralize
improvised explosives. A prototype system designed by RAFAEL will soon
be deployed to Iraq. Dr. Ginsburg told Defense Update that the
system could be installed on a weapon station, side by side to a
machine gun, and be activated against suspicious objects. If an
explosive charge is encountered, it will be neutralized (burned) by
the laser beam, rather than explode, thus eliminating the risk to
troops or innocent bystanders.
Dr. Ginsburg considers RAFAEL's strength in its multi-disciplinary
technological base, and advanced technology capabilities. Advanced
computing is only one of these factors, driven by the general market
growth. Other capabilities are nourished in- house, as well as
subsidiaries where RAFAEL share unique technologies with other
partners. Of these Ginsburg mentioned the Semiconductor Devices (SCD)
EO/IR detectors center operated under cooperation with Elbit Systems
and a fab for micromechanics (MEMS) established under cooperation with
IAI/Elta. |
