The V-Rambo system, which was recently presented in Tel Aviv, is a
three-inch, wristwatch-sized LCD screen that enables ground troops
and pilots to view real-time video images taken by Unmanned Combat
Air Vehicles.
Itzhak Beni, CEO of Elisra Group's Tadiran Electronic Systems and
Tadiran Spectralink Ltd., who makes the product, says V-Rambo gives
soldiers an aerial view of combat areas, which is particularly
important in a dense urban landscape where military forces may not
have a clear line of sight in combat zones.
V-Rambo shortens the amount of time it takes to identify and strike a
target. "Before it was minutes, 10 to 12 minutes. Now it's a matter
of seconds," Beni said. "
The Israelis, like military forces from other countries, have been
collecting video from unmanned vehicles for two decades -- but that
information was sent to one central location where it was displayed
on larger receivers before it could be disseminated to ground troops
or pilots who could then use that data.
Until recently, it was not feasible to send information directly to
the individual soldiers or units because the technology needed wasn't
rugged enough for military use, and was too costly. Also, there was
a risk that by sending disparate feeds collected by different
reconnaissance vehicles directly to the troops, soldiers in harm's
way would be saddled with information overload
Now the technology is affordable, about $50,000 for a full system
that would include a receiver, transmitter and battery
Being able to marry aerial surveillance to technology which can
convey pictures and global positioning location to the front lines
directly significantly improves an army's chances for success.
"Instead of coordinating by voice with a central command, soldiers
can see behind the hill and around the corner," says Beni.
Reducing the size of the receiver -- and ultimately the transmitter
-- down to the size of a wristwatch was the major challenge in
developing the technology, says Beni.
Now, the receiver, rechargeable battery and flexible antenna that
actually receive the images over digital radio bands weighs two
pounds and can be carried in a jacket pouch or vest pocket -- an
important component for soldiers toting heavy weapons.
Beni says the company hopes to reduce the combined weight to about
1.5 pounds in the near future, making them even easier for troops to
handle.
Although they have kept their use of this portable communications
system under wraps, the video receivers have been used by Israeli
attack helicopter pilots for nearly a year and ground troops on foot
and in tanks started using them more recently.
A new communications technology that delivers video to a receiver
one-fifth normal size allows Israeli troops to see what may be just
over the hill or around the next corner.