IAI unveils mobile radar system designed to spot low-flying threats
POINT@AIR combines long-range radar detection with an elevated, mobile platform designed to provide persistent 360-degree surveillance. Based on IAI’s ELM-2083 radar family, the system is designed to track aerial, maritime and ground targets without requiring permanent infrastructure.
Israel Aerospace Industries will unveil a new aerostat-based radar at the Association of the United States Army's annual exhibition in Washington this week, adding a more mobile surveillance platform to its portfolio of military sensing technologies as armed forces seek to detect threats earlier and maintain a clearer picture of the battlefield.
The system, called POINT@AIR, combines long-range radar detection with an elevated platform designed to remain airborne for extended periods and be relocated as operational needs change. By raising the radar above the ground, the aerostat can extend its line of sight beyond terrain and other obstacles that can limit the reach of conventional ground-based sensors. The company says the system can detect and track multiple aerial, maritime and ground targets.
POINT@AIR is based on IAI's ELM-2083 radar family and incorporates active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. Electronic scanning in both azimuth and elevation, combined with mechanical rotation, provides 360-degree coverage, according to the company. The system is designed to prioritize targets according to operational requirements, support multiple missions simultaneously and connect to command-and-control systems to contribute to a broader operational picture.
IAI says the platform is intended to provide persistent surveillance without requiring permanent infrastructure. Its mobility could make it useful in locations where installing fixed radar systems is impractical or where surveillance requirements change over time. The company has not disclosed the system's price, detection ranges, endurance specifications or whether it has secured customers.
"Seeing the battlespace is the starting point for every effective defense," IAI President and CEO Guy Bar Lev said. He added that more persistent surveillance can help forces understand developing situations, anticipate threats and respond with greater confidence.
