The renowned Israeli company Elbit Systems developed the Air Keeper for special mission aircraft that combines Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities with Electronic Warfare (EW) functionalities in a single platform.
For the modern battlefield, which is characterized by asymmetric warfare features combined with those of high intensity warfare, there is an increasing need for real-time intelligence from multiple sources across the electromagnetic spectrum and VISINT (visual intelligence). It is a matter of staying up-to-date and informed from a variety of angles in today’s complex security environment.
In addition, conventional intelligence-gathering aircraft (passive ISR aircraft) do not carry EW soft-kill measures and are therefore less effective at closing the sensor-shooter loop by sharing information and communication relay.
Until recently, these capabilities operated independently, providing distinct responses on separate monitors for each component. Although reliable, the rapid evolution of modern warfare and continuing technological advances indicate that isolated solutions for each aspect of air superiority may soon be obsolete. In Elbit Systems’ ISTAR & EW division, customers now have access to an advanced single-screen solution that integrates all of these elements.
Combining capabilities on a single platform
The Air Keeper solution brings together all ISTAR and EW capabilities and is designed to be compatible with various corporate and civilian platforms. Elbit System’s innovation stands out for its ability to seamlessly coordinate various components. It ensures coexistence so that each system, sensor and radar operates smoothly and efficiently, without interfering with each other, and also enables bi-directional connection to an EW ground control center via satellite to provide decision-makers with a complete, real-time, uninterrupted intelligence picture of the scenario.
“The solution features premier products, mostly from Elbit Systems, that are also available individually,” explains Izik, VP of NAVAL EW & ISR A/Cs Business Line at Elbit Systems’ ISTAR & EW division. “This modular approach is a significant aspect, providing the flexibility to meet the unique requirements of different customers.”
“Historically, reconnaissance and electronic warfare attack required separate aircraft: one for identifying the target and another for initiating countermeasures. This meant using two aircraft, and as a result, the closure of the operational loop from sensor to soft-kill was considerably slower,” he adds.
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How does the Air Keeper operate?
Thanks to its state-of-the-art SIGINT and VISINT systems, an aircraft equipped with the Air Keeper system can pick up signals in the electromagnetic spectrum and high-resolution images from hundreds of kilometers away, at a safe distance from enemy threats. In its offensive role, Air Keeper can, for example, detect and identify an enemy missile battery. It can then act by initiating procedures to neutralize the threat. This allows other assets to safely enter the Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) zone and eliminate the threat with reduced risk.
The sensors are seamlessly integrated through the Multi Mission System (MMS) application, which provides operators with a consolidated view of the situation. Through this application, operators can identify targets and select from a range of electronic intervention strategies, such as communications disruption or signal jamming. All of this is achieved while maintaining a complete, real-time view of intelligence on a single screen, ensuring comprehensive situational awareness at all times. This feature also allows multiple aircraft or intelligence sources to be linked together, providing a cohesive and complete overview of the situation.
Self-protection guaranteed
Given the strategic value offered by platforms equipped with intelligence and EW sensors and their «force multiplier» capability, they are priority targets for enemy air defense assets. To ensure their protection, Air Keeper comes equipped with a radar warning receiver (RWR), missile launch warning systems and iSNS (Immune Satellite Navigation System) to counter GPS jamming. These systems are designed to enhance the aircraft’s survivability in hostile environments.
“We also incorporate defense systems as self-protection jammers, chaff and flare dispensers and DIRCM (Directed Infrared Counter Measures) for electronic protection,” Izik further explains.
“Our aim is to offer a complete solution, ensuring a fully equipped reconnaissance aircraft and mission-readiness,” the VP concludes. “We are committed to delivering a product that is not only potent in intelligence gathering capabilities but also possesses a significant Electronic Attack factor, providing decision-makers with a complete, real-time, uninterrupted multi-domain picture of the arena with the ability to influence the battlefield.”
