Elbit Systems debuts situational awareness, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare technologies
PARIS, June 2015. Elbit Systems is demonstrating new concepts, capabilities, and solutions at Paris Air Show, including technologies for airborne situational awareness, signals intelligence (SIGINT), and electronic warfare (EW).
Elbit Systems is presenting a wide range of next-generation systems at the upcoming 51th Paris Air Show. Visitors to the company’s booth (Chalet A-200, booth and outdoor display area A-8) have an opportunity to view new products and displays of the company’s core technologies and cutting-edge solutions.
Elbit Systems is debuting the following:
- BrightNite is a solution that enables utility helicopters to successfully perform Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) missions in more than 90% of the nights and provides them with piloting capabilities of attack helicopters and enables a new level of operational flight.
- Air Keeper EW & SIGINT Solution for Aircraft: A highly advanced solution that provides two significantly critical capabilities in one: intelligence gathering and EW defensive capacities onboard the same platform. The solution enables the aircraft to perform missions for any existing plane as cargo, tanker, transport etc.
Also on display at the Elbit Systems booth are:
Military Avionics and Aircraft Upgrades
The SuperVision Concept generates a conformal image of the world outside the cockpit, as well as the aircraft systems, surroundings and threats, while simultaneously fusing together the various layers of information. Harsh environment and weather conditions, in conjunction with the immense flow of information during the flight, call for an intuitive display of flight and visual data.
This strategy creates an innovative solution that reduces the pilots' workload and allows them to focus on the successful completion of their mission, while flying “Head-Up” in any terrain and in all visibility conditions.
New Capabilities - Digital JHMCS is a lightweight and comfortable head mounted display (HMD), provided by RCEVS, a joint venture with Rockwell Collins. Offering an improved HMD Center of Gravity (CG) and balance and thus reducing neck strains, DJHMCS is plug and play, with minimal installation requirements and the ability to operate with the aircraft's current tracker and Electronic Unit. DJHMCS can replace legacy JHMCS equipment with no A/C modifications required, thus reducing life cycle costs. DJHMCS offers advanced video and color capabilities in both day and night missions using a modern, lightweight, well-balanced digital HMD system. The system’s proven symbology, combined with color, creates a superior solution that provides intelligent vision in the cockpit. It provides immediate and accurate recognition of friendly, threat and unknown targets and areas to create a complete view of the air, ground and sea picture. This is accomplished with sophisticated software that integrates accurate intelligence with images, video and sound. The technological upgrade dramatically reduces the logistic and maintenance requirements.
C-Suite Tactical solution for C-130 aircraft is a flexible, modular solution created to effectively perform under the harsh and demanding conditions created by low altitude tactical environments. Providing accurate, real-time information projected on the Head-Up, Head-Down, or Helmet Mounted displays, the C-Suite Tactical solution enables a safer and more precise mission as well as increased situational awareness.
CockpitNG is based on a smart central large area display (LAD) which includes all avionic components in one suite, fully integrated with the Helmet Mounted and Head-Up displays. All of the systems' components were developed in a "Multi-touch-Screen" technology, allowing pilots to operate the aircraft in a smooth and customizable manner.
Large Area Display (LAD) is a unique large area display, dual redundant, touch-screen enabled and featuring a wide dimming range for night vision goggle compatibility at low luminance levels. All products in this line are smart integrated modular avionics (IMA) displays that can host software applications from either Elbit Systems, customer legacy software or third-party software.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Electro-Option (EO) Payloads
New Launch - SkylarkTM I-LEX is a new generation of the legacy Skylark I-LE mini-UAS, man-portable electric propelled, best fitted for organic “beyond the next hill” reconnaissance, counter insurgency and force protection missions, as well as civil applications including perimeter security, border and coastal surveillance, anti-terror and a variety of law enforcement missions. The Skylark I-LEX is already operational as the standard battalion level UAS of the Israeli Land Forces and has accumulated thousands of operational sorties.
In the outdoor display area (#A8), the HermesTM 900 medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAS will be showcased, equipped with a wide range of highly advanced payloads for a variety of missions.
The Hermes 900 UAS can be equipped with a variety of high performance sensors in a plug-and-play concept, allowing it to detect ground or maritime targets, over a wide spectral range. Providing over the horizon, persistent multi-payload capabilities, Hermes 900 is based on the proven and mature building blocks of Elbit Systems’ Hermes family, setting the highest levels of airworthiness, safety and reliability. This MALE UAS has been procured by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and additional international users.
Payloads for UAS:
DCoMPASS - Digital Compact Multi-Purpose Advanced Stabilized System is a highly stabilized electro-optical payload system, delivering superb day and night intelligence surveillance target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities in the harshest weather conditions. The multi-sensor system is designed for long-range surveillance and targeting functions for UAS, helicopters, fixed-wing, maritime and ground platforms.
Advanced Multi-sensor Payload System (AMPS) is a dynamic target detection and recognition payload for strategic ISTAR at standoff ranges. A highly stabilized EO payload, AMPS delivers excellent day and night ISTAR capabilities, facilitated by autonomous navigation with inertial system and GPS.
EMERALD–AES212 is a modular Airborne ESM/ELINT system for comprehensive radar detection for all types of manned and unmanned aircraft platforms. Designed for the densest and most complex electromagnetic environments, it meets the rapidly evolving needs of today's modern battlefields. The system delivers sophisticated intelligence gathering capabilities for the detection and analysis of all types of radars - ground-based, airborne and shipboard.
COMINT/DF Systems are operational and battle-proven, designed as modular building blocks, capable of tackling various types of communication systems and able to fit any unmanned aircraft system (UAS). These systems utilize wideband multi-purpose receivers and meet the requirements of any EW/SIGINT payload, offering tactical intelligence reception in real time over wide rural and urban areas with precise DF, and enabling digital audio-recording.
COMJAM is a battle proven, modular, flexible, standalone, future-ready configuration of customizable, interoperable and interconnected airborne communications jamming (COMJAM) payload components for UAS. The system manages multiple frequency sub-bands, predefined threats list, and priority jamming with automatic or manual operation. Deployed as a stand-alone configuration or integrated with additional Elbit Systems EW support systems, the COMJAM payload can be mounted on a variety of airborne platforms as well as offer the ideal solution for forward battlefield areas.
Aircraft Self Protection Solutions
Mini-MUSIC is an advanced, flight-tested directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system in a single compact and lightweight package easily installed on small and medium rotary and fixed-wing platforms. The system protects small to medium sized rotary and fixed-wing aircraft against heat seeking ground to air missiles (MANPADS).
C-MUSIC is a unique multi-spectral infrared fiber-laser based DIRCM system that will be showcased in an impressive 2.7m long pod hung from the booth's ceiling, demonstrating its outstanding aerodynamic structure. The pod will be outfitted with see-through windows to enable visitors to examine the advanced fiber laser based DIRCM mirror turret, as well as the PAWS (IR Passive Approach Warning System) sensors.
J-MUSIC is designed to protect large aircraft, transporters, tankers, special mission platforms and VIP jets against MANPADS. Lightweight, compact and easily installed, J-MUSIC is a distributed system, meaning that the LRUs can be installed in various locations onboard the aircraft, enabling an optimized installation solution for protection of the aircraft. It has been selected for several programs such as Embraer's KC-390 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force and the German Air Force’s A-400M aircraft.
ALL-in-SMALL is an airborne unified self-protection system, offering a complete, lightweight and compact electronic warfare (EW) suite in a single LRU for any airborne platform. ALL-in-SMALL is comprised of an EW controller, digital radar warning receiver, IR missile warning system, advanced laser warning system and chaff/flare dispensing system. It can be optimally integrated with a DIRCM system, due to its high range detection capabilities, high DF accuracy and extremely fast hand-over from IR MWS to DIRCM.
Unified Self-Protection Suite for Fighter Aircraft includes the multi-spectral DAS and ESM capabilities in a single LRU, delivering the highest DF identification, accuracy, and location of received signals, very high probability of intercept (POI), and enabling swift response.. The suite is already deployed onboard various fighter aircraft around the globe.
PAWS is a family of IR-based (Infrared) Passive Warning Systems that provides a comprehensive, turn-key solution for airborne platforms. The sophisticated IR Missile Warning Systems (MWS) enhance airborne platform survivability by providing advance warning of the presence of threatening missiles - and by automatic management of all types of applicable countermeasures available onboard.
IR-CENTRIC is a solution that utilizes the foundations of the de-facto standard in missile warning systems (MWS), an infrared-based MWS, to harness the information streamed from its sensors for facilitating a multi-role, multi-function nexus, mission protection and safety enhancement from one single system, while responding to most modern airborne and ground operational requirements.
ESM/ELINT provides a full spectrum 0.5-40 GHz coverage ESM/ELINT capabilities are integrated into the EW subsystems to automatically detect, measure, identify, monitor and intercept all ground-based, shipborne, and airborne radar signals. Elbit Systems ELINT systems provide continuous/uninterrupted platform protection, surveillance, early warning, information gathering and storage, geo-location and data analysis.
Training and Simulation
Military Pilot Training Solutions
Elbit Systems provides comprehensive simulator support services such as Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), training, manuals and spare parts. Our customers can avail themselves of our full technical potential to support needs throughout the system lifecycle. The latest integrated data environment is employed for visibility into assets in transit, repair, inventory and simulator down-time. Elbit Systems maintains a flexible closed loop Failure Reporting & Corrective Action System (FRACAS) process that provides a framework for identifying and tracking causes of failures and determining and verifying corrective actions.
Embedded Virtual Avionics (EVATM) for trainer aircraft, can be installed on basic or advanced trainer aircraft, transforming the aircraft into a virtual advanced fighter while maintaining the hourly training costs of a trainer. The EVA virtual avionics suite is designed to shorten the training gap which exists today between trainer and modern fighter aircraft. EVA is manufactured in a minimal integration configuration, thus reducing aircraft integration costs virtually to zero.
SkyBreaker is Elbit Systems’ Mission Training Center (MTC), a networked multi-cockpit, mission oriented training center supporting many aircraft types. SkyBreaker provides realistic simulated battlefield training using all aircraft systems and mission scenarios to enhance all levels of pilot training. A world leader in field-proven training and simulation solutions, Elbit Systems developed SkyBreaker to save actual flight hours by presenting aircrews with high-fidelity, simulator-based training. The SkyBreaker facility houses a complex networked system designed to provide an entire squadron with the tools to practice modern air combat using SkyScen, a sophisticated computer generated forces (CGF) solution, in a fully integrated military setting.
Commercial Aviation Systems and Solutions
Clearvision is a complete, Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS), that covers the full flight envelope and overcomes extreme weather conditions and low visibility situations – both day and night. Clearvision allows for intuitive Head-Up flying, minimizing the dependency on airport and helipads instruments, and is designed to reduce landing minima and providing takeoff credit. The Clearvision display fuses conformal flight guidance symbology with synthetic vision presentation and high-resolution EVS video on a Head Mounted Display.
ClearVision EVS - allows the pilot to carry on operating, takeoff and land in low visibility conditions. ClearVision receives information from several sensors, all neatly packed into a single unit, covering different spectral bands, optimized for penetrating poor visibility and providing a fused picture that overcomes the reliance on heat generating objects.
SKYLENS - Packed in a lightweight, easy-to-install device, as intuitive as a pair of sunglasses, SKYLENS is a revolutionary approach for today’s aviators challenges. Operational in all weather conditions, day and night, SKYLENS provides head-up information and minimizes dependency on airport instrumentation. SKYLENS is part of the Clearvision Enhanced Flight Vision EFVS family, displaying high-resolution information, images and video on a high transparency visor, providing superior see-through transmission.
SkyVis is a new system combining the proven helmet-mounted display (HMD) with commercially certifiable line-of-sight (LOS) technology and daytime head-up display (HUD) capabilities. SkyVis day or night system offers enhanced situational awareness and enables “Eyes Out” operations, with or without night visions goggles (NVG), during all phases of flight, in marginal weather conditions without compromising safety. Adverse weather can prevent an air rescue team from executing their life saving missions – searching for and rescuing survivors. SkyVis enables flight in limited visibility conditions, increasing the total number of rescue missions that can be safely executed and potentially saving more lives.
Clearvision HUD is an electro-optic device that presents aircraft data over a transparent glass (Combiner), located in front of the pilot. The presented data is collimated to infinity, enabling the pilot to operate the aircraft using out-the window view during critical phases of flight. With eyes focused out in front of the aircraft viewing on the HUD, the aircraft flight path vector, aircraft attitude, visual glideslope angle and the runway aim point, pilots can achieve greater precision and situational awareness at all times while increasing safety.
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high-technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security, and commercial programs throughout the world. The company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land, and naval systems; command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR); unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); advanced electro-optics and electro-optic space systems, electronic warfare (EW) suites, signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems, data links and communications systems, radios, and cyber-based systems. The company also focuses on upgrading existing platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation applications, and providing a range of support services, including training and simulation systems.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.