Tel Aviv. The US Air Force is evaluating the use of an Israeli developed GPS electronic counter countermeasures on its Boeing F-15EX fighter aircraft. For the moment Boeing has decided to install the Immune Satellite Navigation System (iSNS) developed by Elbit Systems, on the F-15 of an undisclosed air force.
“After careful evaluation of similar systems, Elbit System’s solution was selected due to its proven performance and ease of integration,” said Lauren Gramlich, director for International F-15 Programs. “Elbit’s iSNS anti-jamming system will meet the demanding operational requirements of this valued customer, and demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to partner with Israeli industry to advance the capabilities of the F-15 platform.”
Elbit Systems spokesperson said that the company will not comment on any other sales of the systems to other customers. A Boeing spokesperson in Israel also refused to comment on any other potential deals.
According to Elbit Systems the iSNS is an effective GPS electronic counter countermeasures system that ensures reliable and uninterrupted GPS operation. It provides full jamming immunity for multiple satellite channels and handles multiple interfering signals operating on concurrent frequencies.
“We are proud to be selected by Boeing to supply our unique iSNS technology for the F-15 platform,” said Edgar Maimon, executive vice president and co-general manager, Elbit Systems ISTAR and EW. “Elbit Systems is a long-term supplier of Boeing, especially for the F-15 program, meeting quality, delivery time and cost requirements. F-15 has been a major platform in our portfolio for over two decades and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work with Boeing in the future.”
Other Elbit Systems technologies in use on the F-15 and F-15EX include the Digital Helmet Mounted Cueing System, Low-Profile Head Up Display and Large Area Cockpit Display, as well as various structural elements.
In July 2020, the US Air Force awarded a contract to Boeing to build as many as 200 new F-15s under the designation F-15EX. The first new F-15EX was officially unveiled by the Air Force on April 7 and will carry the name Eagle II.
The GPS has become a major problem especially for air forces. In 2019, Israel has experienced a massive GPS denial attack that affected its civil aviation and was the ultimate indication of GPS denial capabilities in the hands of some “players” in the entangled Middle East scene.
For the three weeks in July 2019, Israel’s airspace has been experiencing interference with the GPS navigation system. All the Israeli defence organizations have tried to understand the reason for that “blackout”. The official findings of this investigation are classified but Israeli experts pointed to a possible “spill over” caused by some of the powers involved in the war in Syria. There is no definite public answer to the source of the disturbance but sources said that it was a “wake up” call for all the users of GPS.
In 2019, the Russians were very active in the civil war in Syria. The heavy use of GPS jammers by the Russian forces in Syria has put the issue in a very high point on the Israeli propriety list. One of the sources said that the Russians have been operating GPS jammers in Syria, not only for operational missions but also as part of seeing their involvement in Syria as a big “war lab” for many advanced systems.
GPS jammers have become a basic asset in different combat scenarios. The GPS denial hazard has been a top issue of some of the major Israeli defense companies. While some of the development are classified, others are public.
-The writer is an International Roving Correspondent of the publication. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
