Israel Becomes a Spy-Sat Superpower
The Israeli Ministery of Defense (IMOD) OFEK program (Horizon in Hebrew, often referred to as OFEQ) will be awarded the prestigious 'Israel's Defense Prize for 2022' for the group's achievements that jointly developed, produced, and deployed Israel's most advanced observation satellite – OFEK-16.
SHTORA-1 Active Defense System
A typical deployment of IR jammer can be seen on the Russian T-90, which mounts the Shtora-1 Defensive Aids System (DAS) shown on picture, with Kontakt5 ERA modules (left). The system protects the tank against guided missiles, using both the semi-active command to line of sight (SACLOS) guidance, by an IR source that mimics the flare on the back...
Thales’ Nexium to Deliver Combat Cloud Services for NATO Armed Forces
NATO has selected Thales to provide the first certified defense cloud solution that can be deployed in the theatre of operations in less than 24 hours. Thales was selected after a worldwide competitive tendering process .
Multi-Drones Provide Situational Air Picture for Joint Multi-Domain Ops
General Atomics has recently conducted a flight demonstration of two Avenger unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), each equipped with Lockheed Martin’s Legion Pod IRST21, an Infra-Red Search & Track pod designed to detect aerial targets at long range, without using radar.
AI Enhancing Land Forces’ Weapons and Platforms
Modern software-defined radios offering virtually unlimited bandwidth enable the warfighter to determine position, navigation, and timing without the support of GPS, opens unprecedented opportunities for joint fires, employing RAFAEL's 'FIRE WEAVER' battle command capabilities as seen here at a battalion-level exercise held last year. Connecting the dismounted teams with all sensors and effectors assigned to the operation, FIRE WEAVER can immediately address every target and call for fire assigning the most suitable and available weapon, within the availability, operational parameters, rules of engagement, and legal restrictions. With this capability FIRE WEAVER supports the dismounted squad, far beyond the organic weapons that members carry with them.
SPIKE SR Performs Live Firing in the USA
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has demonstrated the SPIKE SR Short Range guided missile at the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE) 2021 earlier this month. The demonstration assessed SPIKE SR as a precision munition system for infantry squads, for which portability and simplicity of operation are essential.
New Airborne AESA Radars from China
LKF601E, an airborne FCS AESA radar from the Chinese Aviation Industry Cooperation (AVIC) was unveiled at the AirshowChina event. The new radar is designed for new and upgraded platforms such as the JF-17 and FTC-2000G ‘export fighters’. uses a 3GHz bandwidth at the X-band, provides detection of fighter-sized targets at 170 km, tracks up to 15 targets simultaneously and engages four with air/air missiles. The radar also supports air/ground modes, with one-meter SAR resolution and terrain mapping at 300 km. Searching targets at sea, the radar can detect large targets from 200 km.
Israeli-Designed Mini Corvettes to Replace Eight Hetz Missile Boats
With ongoing domestic procurement of naval weapon systems for Magen corvettes and Dolphin submarines, and growing export opportunities, naval programs become an important growth opportunity for Israel’s defense industries.
Rheinmetall Unveils the Armed Recce Mission-Master Robot
Rheinmetall Defence unveiled today a new armed reconnaissance mission module for their Mission-Master Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV). The new mission module includes an intelligence-gathering multi-sensor pack and a remotely controlled weapon station. The system takes the Mission Master a step closer to Rheinmetall’s fully autonomous ‘Wolfpack’ concept
UAE to Equip its A330 Tankers with Israeli DIRCM Systems
Elbit Systems has received an order from the UAE to supply J-MUSIC Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems to protect the country’s Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) fleet. The Deal Marks the First Transfer of Such Sensitive Technology to an Arab Country. The order announced by Elbit Systems is likely a part of a comprehensive upgrading of the UAE's A330 MRTT fleet of 3+2 aircraft.
Russian Forces in Crimea Shown in Marching Order – Where To?
The following satellite images were taken yesterday (19 February 2022). These recent images show a continued build-up of forces in Crimea, despite the Russian MOD announcement of units moving out of the peninsula. The satellite images were taken by ImageSat International (ISI) and show open areas around the township of Novoozerne on the western side of the Crimea peninsula.
US Army Upgrades Gray Eagle to Support Multi-Domain Operations
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) began the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System to enhance its capabilities to support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). Under the current program, the U.S. Army-funded program includes two aircraft. Flight tests and qualifications will start later this year.
Rafael Unleashes Robots to Pursue Targets Indoors
RAFAEL’s INDOOR autonomous surveillance capability is taking this capability to a new level, by enabling a group of unmanned systems to map and inspect indoor spaces, enabling warfighters to explore structures suspected to be occupied by the adversary, without exposing humans to the dangerous house clearing and Close Quarters Battle (CQB).
Orbiter – a Big Family of Small UAS
Unlike the larger and heavier drones that operate like manned aircraft and are bound to airfields or other complex launch and retrieval systems, small UAS are optimized to work and support operators at the tactical level. Aeronautics' Orbiter family of Mini UAS (MUAS) and Small Tactical UAS (STUAS) is designed specifically for those missions.