IAI is unveiling the latest configuration of ‘Green Rock’, a tactical radar force protection system at the upcoming Eurosatory exhibition. According to IAI, the successful evaluation clears the system for formal delivery to the IDF. The need for tactical C-RAM radars for force protection is recognized by many armies, and this operational requirement is accelerating the demand for such products worldwide.
Unlike the Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) designed to detect rockets flying over long distances the new system is focused on short range threats that are relevant to the tactical forces, that are often threatened by 81, 120mm mortars, 107mm rockets and Qassam improvised rockets, fired at distances below 8-10 km.
[ismember]The ‘Green Rock’ system developed under the IDF ‘Wind Shield’ program was launched in early 2013 and has matured in less than a year. Developed as a low-risk application utilizing the mature and combat-proven technologies developed for the ‘Windguard’ (Trophy) active protection system (used on the Merkava and namer armored fighting vehicles), Green Rock extends the active protection application of that radar to cover threats flying at higher trajectory. By predicting the impact point and time, the system provide an almost instant warning to the tactical unit, enabling soldiers to take cover or ‘button up’ in their armored vehicles. Along with the warning the Green Rock also delivers the fire source location, enabling rapid counterfire by any asset available to the task (mortars, guided weapons, attack helicopters etc). The radar can also generate fire correction by tracking the outgoing projectiles and impact points. According to IAI, this capability is especially important for 120mm mortars also employed at the battalion level, which often lack a fire direction sensor.
The radar would also be able to detect slow, low-radar cross section (Low-RCS) targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), gliders and hovering platforms. When countering high trajectory threats the radar can operate from defilade. The system also supports low-trajectory target tracks and, when couples with electro-optical hostile fire detection modules, would provide a complete threat warning and location solution for tactical formations. This combination also improves target classification and discrimination.
Using multiple stacked AESA radar elements, each covering 90 degrees in azimuth and elevation, a layout of two plates provides horizontal coverage of 180 degrees, from ground level to zenith. Operating in the track while scan (TWS) mode the radar can track multiple targets simultaneously, supporting high detection probability of very low RCS targets at ranges up to 10 km.[/ismember][nonmember]
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The system, developed by ELTA systems is available in several configurations, tailored for a compact, single or twin module mounted on an all-terrain-vehicle, a unified module or separate layout weighing about 800 kg, designed for tactical and armored vehicles. The system employs a mature, field proven system that does not require active cooling. The system is designed for fast deployment and autonomous operation.
Green Rock is part of a family of tactical integrated sensor systems developed by IAI Elta Systems to support tactical formations, at combat brigades, battalions and below, improving intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, providing force protection, enabling precision strike and networking services down to the lowest echelon. The following videoreport produced by Defense-Update outlines this new strategy.
