Similar screens have been in use by the military's attack
helicopters, for nearly a year. This technology, drastically reduces
the time it takes for pilots to strike targets, including Palestinian
militants marked for elimination by the Israeli military.
The technology, which is also used in tanks and armored vehicles, was
a closely guarded secret and only recently the public was offered a
glimpse.
Itzhak Beni, the company's chief executive said it has "shortened
significantly" the time to identify and strike a target. "The time
has been reduced from 10 to 12 minutes to seconds," said the
executive with the Elisra Group's Tadiran Electronic Systems and
Tadiran Spectralink companies.
The Israeli army declined to comment about the new technology.
The screen being field-tested by a limited number of foot soldiers is
about three inches wide and weighs just a few ounces. Code-named
V-Rambo, it's attached to the wrist by a Velcro strap.
The LCD screens display color video that is beamed directly from
drones at 30 frames per second -the same rate as broadcast TV.
Attack helicopters have been fitted with five-inch screens. The
"Video Receiver" systems also include small reception units that are
installed on the vehicles and helicopters or carried in soldiers'
vests.
Military drones have been used by Israel since the early 1980s. But
until recently, the information they gathered was sent to a ground
command center that interpreted it and then shared it with the forces
in the field.
The Tadiran systems allow the information to be received instantly by
the various forces, company officials said.
The drones are still controlled by a ground command center, but the
various forces have the ability to guide the camera to meet their
specific needs.
This real-time information has enabled Israel to perfect its ability
to attack from the sky. During more than four years of fighting with
the Palestinians, Israeli helicopter air strikes have killed dozens
of militants.
The system can also greatly reduce combat casualties by allowing
troops "to see everything that is behind the hill and around the
corner," Beni said. At the same time, the company said the improved
information can help troops minimize civilian casualties in the
crowded refugee camps and city streets where Israeli troops and
Palestinian militants often clash.
Tadiran only recently received clearance to show the system to the public.
The company also showed off a system resembling a video game that
allows soldiers to control unmanned ground vehicles.
The green console has a small flat screen and two joysticks, one on
each side. One joystick controls the vehicle, while the other
controls the items on the vehicle, such as its cameras.
The computer screen shows other information, including video footage
from drones and detailed maps of the battlefield.
The technology is expected to be part of the "Gladiator" unmanned
ground vehicles being developed by the U.S. Marines. Tadiran has
announced that the Gladiator contract, includes partners Carnegie
Mellon University and United Defense Industries Inc.
Israeli troops are now wearing on their wrists a Dick Tracy like
tiny video screen, which displays video from unmanned drone aircraft,
in real time.