Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled at this year's Paris Air Show, a pioneering compact three dimensional (3D) high frequency (HF) Direction Finders for airborne, shipborne and ground platform applications.
The new communication intelligence (COMINT) system, designated ELK-7065 3D HF DF, developed and tested by ELTA Systems Ltd., an IAI subsidiary and group, tags and labels signal identifiers such as power, frequency, modulation, geo-location and polarization in order to provide quick labelling and identification of the received signals, creating a reliable Electronic Order of Battle (EOB) picture. This unique method is enabled by innovative sensor technology.
HF communication plays an increasingly significant role in military, para-military and civilian applications. The need for Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS) communication is achieved through HF communication without using expensive satellite communication systems. Whether using sky wave propagation or a close range network utilizing ground waves, HF communication is proving to be an increasingly practical and reliable solution especially with the advent of advanced HF related technologies such as Automatic Link Establishment (ALE). This fast growing use of HF communication has created an increasing interest in HF intelligence systems. Current systems, however, are very cumbersome and require very large antennas which typically render them unpractical for compact and mobile applications.
ELTA's unique capabilities, demonstrated by the ELK- 7065 3D HF COMINT system, allow for better classification and distinction of incoming signals.
Its advanced technology requires comparatively very small antennas for aerial purposes or small pick-up antennas for shipborne and ground platforms in order to provide an HF COMINT and geolocation capability which up to now, was provided only by antenna arrays measuring tens of meters. This compact installation enables smaller platforms to perform the COMINT mission with unparalleled mobility and flexibility.
The maritime and ground vehicle antennas are merely 35 centimetres (13.7 In) long. The new airborne antenna configuration, measuring merely 30 by 50 centimetres (11.8 In by 19.6 In), has completed development testing and was recently installed on an IAI-made heron 1 Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The test results surpassed expectations and are paving the way for the first production unit which may be installed on any relevant UAV or manned platform. Additionally, the same concept has been applied to conformal antennas that can be installed on marine vessels and ground vehicles, enabling a low radar cross section (RCS) and body obstruction.
The Israeli Export Institute and the Israeli Ministry of Defense's SIBAT division, which are responsible for promoting Israeli civilian and defense exports, noted that this year, the Israeli pavilion will emphasize unmanned measures, systems and aircraft, which represent the future perception and stand at the forefront of global technology.
A variety of measures and defense systems will also be presented at the expo, including warning systems, active defense systems and countermeasures, electronic systems, advanced communication and electro-optic systems, and electronic systems intended for civil aviation. In addition to the developments and measures, the Paris Air Show represents a stage for promoting the export of contractor companies specializing in aviation production, which offer many advantages to local and global industries.
According to Brig. Gen. (Res.) Shmaya Avieli, the head of SIBAT: "In order to overcome the complex Middle Eastern challenges and in light of the developments of the past few years, Israel must maintain a military advantage and utilize the most advanced technologies. This is done via the IMOD's research and development, which is led by MAFAT and with the support and cooperation of the defense industry, led by SIBAT.
"Select examples of technologies developed in Israel will be seen at the Paris Air Show. These are very advanced, flexible and adaptable systems, which have been tested and proven in the field, which gives them a tremendous advantage. Israel's defense export offers independent systems together with integration and swift solutions for existing systems. These characteristics explain the growth of Israel's defense export in recent years, despite the economic crisis. This market is proof of the Israeli defense production and development capability, which contributes greatly to the Israeli economy.
According to Ofer Zachs, Export Institute CEO: "the size of the export intended for the civilian market grew by nearly 30% in 2012, reaching $1.3 billion. In order to ensure the continued growth of the export, research and budgetary backing must continue for R&D in defensive fields that are close to civilian activity."
Israel Information Technology Report Q2 2013
We expect IT spending to reach ILS23.1bn in 2013, with particularly strong growth in software and services as the market matures. While hardware, particularly PC and notebook sales continue to dominate the market, we believe IT services will increasingly form an important part of the overall IT market. Increasingly the market will be driven by key sectors such as government, defence and financial services, bringing IT services to form 36% of the overall market spending by 2017. This quarter we have reassigned all forecasts to be in local currencies.