Tel Aviv. The new aircraft Oron will enable the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to get a very detailed picture on a vast area to generate targets and it will be the most advanced in its category. In a special interview, Avishai Ithakian , Deputy General Manger – Airborne Systems and Radars Division in ELTA, the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary told Raksha Anirveda.
As reported here the G-550 aircraft landed in the IAF Nevatim airbase earlier this week and now ELTA will equip it with the special sensors. The ELTA senior official said that the Oron will be capable of supplying a very detailed picture of vast areas of land and sea. The new aircraft will perform missions similar to the JSTARS aircraft of the US Air Force, but with increased qualities. No other country in the world will have these capabilities produced by sensors carried by a business jet.
According to Ithakian, the four antennas of the AESA radar – two on the sides of the aircraft , one on its nose and one on its tail, will cover 360 degrees. Some of the sensors were developed specifically for this aircraft.
The AESA radar according to the company’s official, will be able to cover “thousands of square kilometres” with high resolution. The aircraft will be capable of performing all its missions from standoff ranges and from high altitudes. The resolution will not decrease because of the range and altitude and will enable excellent terrain dominance.
Ithakian revealed that most of the data processing will be performed on board, so that only the relevant data is transferred to the fighting units. This will enable the fighting units to hit time critical targets. The aircraft will have a 6-8 crew that will operate the different sensors. The Oron will be capable to produce thousands of targets and the monitored area. The ELTA official added that some countries have shown great interest in the new aircraft, considering its unique capabilities and low operation costs because it is carried by a business jet.
-The writer is an International Roving Correspondent of the publication.
