Lockheed Martin UK and IAI aim to promote joint GBAD solution
SkyKeeper BMC4I system demonstration for the British Army. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin UK and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on 21 March announced a partnership agreement for the joint global promotion of a GBAD system combining SkyKeeper and the Barak MX system.
This development follows an MoU between the two companies in July 2021 and a review of ‘relevant business opportunities’, IAI noted in a statement.
Whereas traditional GBAD systems were designed to detect large airborne platforms, the threat picture today is more complex with small UAVs and loitering munitions.
To address these challenges, Lockheed Martin developed SkyKeeper as a flexible and adaptable Battle Management Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (BMC4I) solution.
SkyKeeper can be integrated with any type of effector, kinetic or non-kinetic, from missiles to jammers. It has been a core part of the UK MoD Land Environment Air Picture Provision programme since 2014 and traces its heritage to the British Army’s Automated Sense and Warn (AS&W) system.
Barak MX is the latest in a family of SAM systems from IAI, beginning with the Barak 1 shipborne point-defence system that entered service in the 1990s.
Barak MX brings a mix of capabilities with similar types of missiles to address a variety of different types of targets from very low range missiles to ballistic missiles.
The Barak MX comprises medium-, long- and extended-range interceptor versions with effective ranges of 35km, 70km and 150km respectively. More than 40 operational tests of the missile system have been conducted against a spectrum of targets, from both land and sea.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
First locally built KF41 Lynx IFV handed over to Hungary
The KF41 procurement is part of Hungary’s Zrínyi 2026 development plan and is one of several efforts to procure modern, NATO-standard platforms that will supersede legacy equipment received from the Soviet Union by 2026.
-
Elbit Systems looks to enhance automation for Israeli artillery systems
Automation efforts on the Roem and Sigma howitzers will maintain a ‘man in a loop’ configuration as the Israeli company focuses on the export market.
-
How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence
Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.
-
MBDA announces new VSHORAD system at Farnborough International Airshow 2024
The VSHORAD supersonic single-operator interceptor air defence system was unveiled at Farnborough.
-
Raytheon notes CUAS laser success and pushes for faster air defence manufacture
Raytheon’s Patriot air defence system has been in high demand with orders and commitment coming in from Germany, Romania and Spain.
-
BAE Tridon MK2 fitted with Chess Dynamics fire control system
The collaboration between the defence giant and the gunfire control specialist will help deliver a modular anti-drone solution.