Real Time Tactical Recce

Collection of intelligence from long-range require special means, such as the LOng Range Oblique Photography Pod ­ LOROP, developed by ElOp. The pod, designed for carrying under standard combat aircraft such as the F-16, is equipped with a powerful electro-optical/Infra-red (EO/IR) sensor, capable of operating day and night, on a single mission. The pod was designed by SGD Engineering to match the size and aerodynamic characteristics of the 300 gallon centerline tank of the F-16. On the mission, the pod automatically communicates with the ground reception station via wide-band data-link, transferring images in real-time to the ground exploitation system, where images can be processes and correlated with other sensors such as Synthetic Aperture Radar, visible images, maps and multi-spectral infrared images, for further analysis.

Rafael's RecceLite, also represented here at Changi, is a derivative of the Litening targeting system, provides a different approach to tactical reconnaissance. RecceLite provides simultaneous, multi-spectral imaging (IR and visible), capable of day and night operation, without any restrictions to the aircraft maneuverability or combat capability. The sensors are installed on a stabilized gimbal, and can "look" at any direction, independent of the aircraft position. Covering horizon-to-horizon, with free forward-backward, side and vertical motion, the pod can track targets before, during and after the attack, to provide continuous records for intelligence and battle damage assessment, on recce and attack missions. The system can store information for retrieval on the ground, or transmit data via data link, to a ground station, in real-time.

While environmental effects degrade performance of electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can always deliver the goods. SAR capabilities are provided with the EL/M-2026P radar system, configured into a pod carried by F-16s, F-14 and Tornado. A smaller version of the SAR radar, EL/M-2055 was designed especially for unmanned aircraft. The pod and UAV radars are transmitting the data via data-link to a ground exploitation station (GES), for interpretation and extraction of the relevant data. Another SAR from ELTA, EL./M-2060T is designed for special mission aircraft, such as the Gulfstream 100 (Astra SP); EL/M-2057 is designed for compact slower platforms such as the B-200. These aircraft can be equipped with an on-board processing, interpretation and exploitation systems. Since 1995 Elta sold SAR systems with a total volume of US$ 300 million. The company is gearing for accelerated sales reaching total US$1 billion sales for these products by the year 2004.

Tactical intelligence collection and surveillance missions can also be accommodated by small, light aircraft, utilizing the Airborne Optical System, provided by IAI/TAMAM. The system is self-contained, with mission control and navigation interface, communications, data-link, interfaces with surveillance radar, airborne or surface based (on ships or land) etc. This integration is driving comprehensive system capabilities, offered with simple but powerful moving map-display, mission planning on land, with in-mission modifications, and generation of observation data and images within the mission. The system was integrated and is already operational on various platforms such as the Beechcraft B-200, Antonov An-32, Do-228 and other platforms.

A different system providing this function is the COMPASS, produced by Elbit's Electro-optics division ElOp. COMPASS is providing a stabilized platform for electro-optics sensors. It has enough space to accommodate several systems, including a choice of three thermal imagers, including 1st or 2nd generation FLIRS operating in the 8-12 micron range, or a 3rd generation matrix FLIR, operating in the 3-5 micron range. FLIRs are an indispensable element for night reconnaissance and maritime air patrol missions, where such payloads are used. For daylight use COMPASS utilizes a CCD/TV BW/Color camera. Both sensors are equipped with powerful zoom capability for observation at long distances. The system is equipped with an improved tracker, and can also accommodate an eye-safe laser range-finder or target designator. All systems are feeding image and target data to a remote operating console.

An enhancement of airborne observation systems dubbed Online Airborne Reconnaissance System (OLARS) is also offered by IAI's system house MLM. The system. The system accepts images from multi-spectral sensors, such as FLIRs and CCDs, deployed on aircraft or UAVs, and correlates them automatically to a geographical database, where maps, terrain features and targets are stored. The system provides rapid comparison of current and past images, automatically identifying changes that could be indicative to military mobilizations, force movements, construction work, storage of logistics and supplies, or various activities related illegal activities.

By Tamir Eshel