PAS 2011: Elisra developing SIGINT capability for Skylark II

22nd June 2011 - 16:35 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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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.

Skyfix/Skyfix DF