Tel Aviv. The need of armed forces to see developing threats from long ranges is bringing Israeli companies to develop new “sharp eyes” that can look at a very long distance.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is expanding its family of electro-optical/ IR payloads with the introduction of MegaPOP. The advanced electro-optical payload, which was developed by TAMAM, IAI’s electro-optical and navigation system house.

The new payload is designed for land applications such as marine or land border control, surveillance of sensitive facilities, or any other operational mission that requires especially lengthy surveillance performance, as well as high-definition vision capabilities with a system that uses several sensors, simultaneously.

MegaPOP features an exceptionally long range of surveillance augmented by multi-spectral capabilities. It offers an extraordinary range of sensors that can be used together and a range of laser capabilities. Additional system features include digital tracking, specialized image processing, and additional methods of data processing and automating surveillance capabilities. A built-in gyro stabilizing system ensures stable imaging under all environmental conditions.

According to IAI MegaPOP has magnetic-independent, highly-accurate northing capability to assist in managing target datum points. Advanced digital interfaces allow simplified control even from remote control posts and operational work that involves additional sensors, including: ELINT, COMINT, and more.

Avi Elisha, IAI’s TAMAM Division GM at the Systems, Missiles & Space Group, said that MegaPOP is the outcome of decades of experience accumulated at IAI in developing some of the world’s most advanced surveillance systems.

-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist