PAS 2011: Elisra developing SIGINT capability for Skylark II
Elisra has revealed plans to downsize its SkyFix signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload allowing it to be carried by Elbit Systems' Skylark II UAV, according to company officials.
Speaking to Shephard at the Paris Air Show, Elisra business development executive for COMINT and EW systems Shmuel Davidi said the company was a year away from completing tests on the system.
He described how Elisra was working with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), to deliver the capability which would allow the payload to be carry by the tactical close-range UAS. The strategy is a result of an IDF requirement, he added.
Currently, SkyFix comprises communications intelligence (COMINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) technology as well as Elisra's SkyJam communications jamming system. At the moment, it can be carried by the Hermes 900, 450 and 90 family of UAVs but this latest move will see its configuration reduced even further. However, Davidi stressed that Elisra's SIGINT payload was not yet operational with the IDF on board UAVs.
Miniaturisation of the payload will also allow the Hermes 450 UAV to carry a SIGINT capability as well as an EO/IR sensor, although Davidi could not confirm where it will be carried on the UAVs.
'There is much work to be done including work on the interference of the antenna, especially for direction-finding and getting geolocation information,' he continued.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.