Israeli F-16s To Take Long Range Intelligence Role

El-Op Electro Optics Industries, a division or Elbit Systems, is showcasing two high-performance image intelligence systems at Paris. The EO/IR-Lorop long-range oblique photography system is shown inside a special pod, installed on the centerline carriage position of the F-16 ACE, which is displayed in front of the Israeli pavilion.

The pod is typically flown at an altitude of 10,000 to 50,000 feet. It was designed specifically for the F-16 Falcon, which will provide tactical reconnaissance for the IAF as it phases out its aging RF-4Es. Unlike the reconnaissance-dedicated RF-4Es, the new role for the F-16 does not require any changes to the aircraft. The self-contained pod houses the camera, containing a Cassegrain Ritchey-Chretien mirror telescope with a linear array of butted CCD detectors and infrared detectors in the focal planes.

The system has autonomous navigation capability and INS/GPS embedded on the camera. The pod also contains a system management unit and video processing unit, data link, digital solid-state recorder, air conditioning unit, and power supply.

The pod was as designed and built by SGD Engineering, in its new facility near Haifa. SGD will also provide series production for the Israel Air Force and foreign orders. Other F-16 recce roles will include SAR missions, to be provided by Elta Synthetic Aperture Radar also installed in a pod, shown at the F-16 ACE display. Both recce pods were approved for export by the ministry of defense.