The challenges changed, the systems are trying to adapt

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The change is faster than anticipated. It is now a must for most Israel defense companies and that trend will be with us in the coming years. When direct defense budgets tend to shrink, those that are earmarked for homeland security increase.

I have dealt with this phenomenon in the past but it is so massive that I decided to go into it again.

The fact that wars have changed, and now range from low intensity (LIC) to anti terror operations, has changed the attitude of many defense contractors in Israel to this market. It can be said as a fact, that what until a few years ago was considered “byproducts” of the industry, are now no less than a growth engine for some of the industries.

Rafael, one of Israel’s most advanced weapon systems developers has invested money and efforts in developing a full concept for protecting vital installations from the sea. Israel has some of its main economic installations along the shore of the Mediterranean. Power plants, Refineries and naturally ports, are along the shores that in the past were used as entry points for terrorists.

Recently, big oil and gas fields were discovered off the Israeli shore and these have already been the focus of threats from Terror organizations like the Hezbollah in Lebanon.

So, Rafael has developed a comprehensive concept for the defense of strategic installations and this refers to many types. Electro optical payloads, other sensors, remotely operated weapon stations; all these and others have been adapted to the new mission.

i-HLS ISRAEL Homeland Security 

The Rafael Protector Unmanned vessel is currently operational in Israel and some other countries. This is the fourth generation of the system that has proved its capability.

Unlike in the early versions, the vessel itself is not an “off the shelf” commercial speed boat but a Rafael dedicated design. The 11 meters long Protector can cope with very high seas and perform 48 hours long missions.

While the Protector is getting better, the aerial section of homeland security is also not idle.

The Elta division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) , has teamed with Bombardier and are offering a very advanced maritime patrol aircraft based on the Q-400.

The Q-400 is being offered as a direct replacement to the Lockheed Martin P-3 .This aircraft has very low operational costs and gives the crew a very comfortable working environment.

The Q-400 in maritime patrol/ SAR/ anti submarine roles configuration, is being offered by Elta/Bombardier, in cooperation with Field Aviation from Canada.

The main sensor is the best selling Elta EL/M-2022 multi-mode airborne maritime surveillance radar. The package includes SIGINT and optical sensors.

Elta and its partners use the experience gathered from the operation of the Q-300 in maritime patrol role. This aircraft used by Sweden and Iceland is also equipped with the EL/M-2022 radar.

The Q-400 maritime patrol aircraft has a “very big” market potential as countries are more aware of the need to monitor the seas for many types of threats including pirates.

i-HLS ISRAEL Homeland Security 

The Israeli navy is also interested in the Q-400 in its maritime patrol configuration but budget problems have so far delayed any real negotiation. Currently, the Israeli navy is using the old IAI 1124 jet for maritime patrol.

IAI Heron unmanned air systems are used for close range maritime missions.

But in the big array of platforms and sensors there is a newcomer that makes its first steps in this market.

Recently Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the Electric Tethered Observation Platform (ETOP) as a direct substitute for tactical observation aerostats, deployed along borders and near sensitive installations.

IAI is in the final phase of developing the ETOP which will become a “family” of very advanced systems in different sizes.

ETOP is a electrically-powered, tethered, airborne platform which can be used for observation, surveillance and other applications.
ETOP can either be deployed from a static station, a maritime platform or from a moving ground vehicle. It can carry a payload of up to 20kg and operate up to a maximum altitude of 100 meters.

ETOP combines an electrically-powered aerial platform and a ground system which includes the means for automatic deployment, cables, and a communication system.

And when the earmarked homeland defense budgets grow, it is only natural that new solutions are being offered. Here again , IAI reacted very fast and is offering a modified version of its G-550 conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) aircraft that has the capability to detect targets at sea and near shores.

i-HLS ISRAEL Homeland Security 

IAI explains that the new version will have all the basic AEW capabilities with added ones to detect targets at sea. The need of many countries is to get a full picture of their sea border zone and integrate it into one big potential threat picture.

The G550 based CAEW long-endurance high-altitude platform carries conformal dual-band AESA Radar & IFF, Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and an integrated Self-Protection System (SPS).

The G550 based CAEW includes a comprehensive Communication Suite designed for Network Centric Operations (NCO) which ensures extensive interoperability in any theater.

The G-550 in its CAEW configuration is currently used by the Israeli airforce (IAF) and by the airforce of Singapore.

i-HLS ISRAEL Homeland Security 

…So the technical ideas follow the money. It will bring more new contracts to the Israeli aerospace and defense industries, but more importantly spinoffs that will be used by the “pure” military users.

So, no more “Byproducts”, but a real effort to tailor the different systems to the changing operational needs. This is the name of the game and the Israeli defense industries are making a big effort to win.