Tel Aviv. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the launch of its unique COMINT and 3D VHF/UHF radios geo-location system (ELK-7065VU) for area specific operations.
The solution provides forces with instantaneous geo-location of adversary communications using a single aerial platform such as a tactical UAV. The system, developed by IAI’s ELTA Group, instantaneously detects communication transmissions across the VHF and UHF frequencies and provides an accurate geo-location mapping of the RF (Radio Frequency) emitters.
With its capability of detecting transmissions instantaneously in both open terrain and dense urban areas, even short burst PTT (Push-to-Talk) transmissions can be detected and accurately located.
At the heart of the solution is IAI/ ELTA’s compact Vector Sensor Array (VSA) antenna which significantly improves the capability to accurately determine the RF source’s location. Legacy airborne COMINT technologies require several antennas and are only able to determine geo-location by capturing the intersection of multiple Direction Finding (DF) measurements generated by a moving aerial platform. This method requires time and high processing power, especially if the emitters on the ground are moving. IAI/ ELTA’s VSA solution instantaneously and accurately calculates the arriving RF emitters’ direction and elevation, thereby immediately geo-locating targets from a single platform.
By developing and applying the innovative VSA antenna technology to the solution, IAI/ ELTA succeeded in drastically reducing size, weight and power (SWaP) of the system. Only a lightweight antenna connected to a compact sensor unit is required to deliver instantaneous geo-location.
The VSA design incorporates proprietary technology developed solely by ELTA. The antenna’s construction enables simultaneous measurement of elevation and Azimuth from received RF signals. The entire system weighs only five kilograms and due to its compact size and low power requirement can be easily integrated on a wide range of UAS platforms.
Dulberg Adi, VP General Manager, IAI/ ELTA Intelligence, Comms & EW Division, said: “The new system offers Instantaneous geo-location from a single aerial platform, reduced hardware, and simplified operation are some of the many reasons that make our solution a game changer in the market. This latest product is an addition to our existing VSA solution (ELK-7065) operating in HF band.”
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist
