IAI’s Strategic & Tactical Systems

IAI's DEFENCE SYSTEMS

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world-class Aerospace and Defence Company innovating and delivering state-of-the-art technologies in Space, Air, Land, Naval, Cyber & Homeland Security for Defence and Commercial markets. In India, IAI’s Weapon Systems & Unmanned Systems are in Service with the Indian Defence Forces, with IAI opening new Subsidiaries in India and signing MoUs with HAL.

IAI’s Strategic & Tactical Systems

IAI provides customers with tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions to the unique challenges they face including Satellites, UAVs, Missiles, Intelligence Solutions, Weapon Systems, Air Defence Systems, Robotic Systems, Radars, Business Jets, Aerostructures, and more.

IAI offers a vast portfolio producing Air and Missile Defence, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Ground Robotics, Precision-Guided Weapons, and Loitering Munitions. IAI delivers Special-Mission Aircraft, Modernise Military Aircraft and Helicopters, and converts Passenger Jets into Cargo Aircraft through Modification, Conversion, and System Integration. Its technology expertise features Systems and Solutions from Reconnaissance Satellites and Radars to all aspects of Command, Control, and Communications, Computing and Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Systems (C5ISR).

Naval Systems: Trusted by Navies around the world for advanced, battle-proven Naval Systems and Technology, IAI sets new standards for Maritime Domain Awareness, Naval Combat Systems, Network Centric Operation, EEZ Protection, and Coastal Security. From Sensors and Weapon Systems to Integrated Systems of Systems, IAI offers a broad portfolio of Solutions to the requirements and challenges of today’s Naval Forces. Its Maritime Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) are used in Homeland Security, Paramilitary, and Wartime in conditions that range from tropical to arctic missions. They increase surveillance area, range, time over target, and real-time Battle Damage Assessment, improving mission flexibility and effectiveness. These exceptional platforms can be designed to suit Users specific requirements by featuring a wide range of Payloads, a Command & Control Station, and advanced Communication Systems.

Four IAI Groups – A Wealth of Solutions
ELTA Systems: IAI's Radar, Intelligence, and Electronic Systems House, ELTA Systems offers a broad range of Electronic Systems-of-Systems for Air and Space, Land, Naval, and Homeland Security applications. These capabilities are based on the Solutions developed for C5ISR (ISTAR), Early Warning & Control (AEW&C), Electronic Surveillance (SIGINT/ELINT/COMINT) and countermeasures (C-UAS), Fire Control, Self-Protection, and Self-Defence, with specific specialisation in AI, Cyber, and Robotics.

Systems Missiles & Space: All activities related to Missile Systems run under the Systems, Missiles, and Space Group. These activities include Air and Missile Defence Systems, Offensive and Defensive Naval Systems, Surface-to-Surface Missiles, and Loitering Munitions. The Group also oversees IAI's Space Operations, including the initiation, design, development, delivering, and operations of dozens of Observation and Communication Satellite Systems, associated Ground Control Stations, Mission Centers, and Launchers.

Military Aircraft: Backed by decades of innovation and combat-proven experience with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), as a pioneer and world leading provider of Unmanned Aerial Systems. IAI's Military Aircraft Group combines state-of-the-art technology and knowhow with hands-on field experience, offering innovative UAS Solutions for Land-based, Aerial and the Maritime Domains, brand names that have earned worldwide reputation for excellence and reliability. Some of the Group’s legacy activities are currently managed under the Aviation Group and Golan Industries.

Aviation: The Aviation Group covers the full spectrum of technologies and capabilities for the design, integration, testing, certification, manufacturing, marketing, and product support of Manned and Unmanned Aircraft – from Business Jets to the conversion of passenger jets, cargo planes, aerostructure assemblies, and parts. The Group also provides comprehensive maintenance services (MRO) for Aircraft, Engines, and Components - including Heavy Maintenance, Modifications, Upgrades, Conversions, and development programmes, all with minimal downtime.

Indian Navy’s LRSAM Missiles
Final Production batch of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LRSAM), designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with various Industry Partners and integrated by BDL, was flagged off on 14th February 2021 at DRDL, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad in the presence of Secretary DDR&D & Chairman DRDO.

LRSAM is Jointly Developed by DRDO and IAI Israel to equip latest Ships of Indian Navy. This LRSAM Missile System provides Point and Area Defence against various aerial targets including Fighter Aircraft, Subsonic & Supersonic Cruise Missiles. The Missile is powered by indigenously developed Dual-Pulse Rocket Motor and Dual Control System to impart required manoeuvrability at the Terminal Phase. This state-of-the-art Weapon System is designed with Active Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker to identify, track, engage and destroy the target with high kill probability.

LRSAM System end-to-end performance has been successfully demonstrated through number of User Flight Trials from Indian Naval Ships. This Weapon System has been successfully productionised and has been delivered to the Indian Navy.

Secretary, DDR&D highlighted the importance of Indigenous Production efforts and complemented the industries that have established the Manufacturing Facilities and successfully executed the production orders in achieving the goal towards 'Make-in-India'. He also commended the efforts of Missile System Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA), DG (NAI) in streamlining the production activities at various industries across India, leading to delivery of Missiles with Aerospace Quality Standards.

IAI Sets Up Indian Subsidiary ASI for MRSAM Support
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has opened a new Subsidiary located in New Delhi, India, Aerospace Services India (ASI). ASI is the sole authorized OEM’s Technical Representative for the entire (MRSAM) System in India and is establishing State-of-the-Art Facilities to provide product Life-cycle Support Services in India. The new facilities will provide advanced and timely support to the Indian Defence Forces, including the Indian Air Force, Navy and Army.

Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO said: “Aerospace Services India is leveraging top technology, innovation, and talent to deliver customer satisfaction so that they can focus on their mission. IAI has a well-established operation in India, working with various Partners and customers in the Indian market. Through the years, IAI has pursued a flexible and adaptive business policy to comply and respond to PM Modi’s ‘Self-Reliance’ Vision.”

ASI is located in New Delhi, trades in Indian Rupees and is the sole authorized OEM’s Technical Representative for the entire MRSAM System.

MRSAM is an Advanced and Innovative Air and Missile Defence System which provides ultimate protection against a variety of Aerial Platforms. It is used by the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. The system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, Command and Control, Mobile Launchers and Interceptors with Advanced RF Seeker. MRSAM is jointly developed by IAI and DRDO for the Indian forces.

IAI & DRDO MRSAM Air & Missile Defence System
The advanced system, jointly developed by DRDO India and IAI Israel, provides the ultimate protection against a variety of Aerial Platforms. Boaz Levy IAI’s President and CEO has said “This is significant proof of the unique Partnership between the countries and IAI's commitment to India.”

The MRSAM Air & Missile Defence System is an advanced path-breaking Air and Missile Defence System which provides full protection against many Aerial Platforms. It is used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Israeli Defense Forces. MRSAM is Jointly Developed by IAI and DRDO in collaboration with Indian and Israeli Companies for the Indian Defence Forces.

In a ceremony held at Air Force Station Jaisalmer in India, the MRSAM System was inducted by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development and DRDO Chairman, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), and IAI President and CEO, Boaz Levy. The induction took place after the two countries had successfully carried out earlier extended tests at a facility in India, which validated that all the components of the Weapons System were working perfectly.

Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI has said, “MRSAM Air & Missile Defense System is a Cutting-edge, Innovative System and significant proof of the unique Partnership and collaboration between the countries and IAI's commitment to India. The development and production of the system is fully based on the ‘Make-in-India’ policy in Partnership and collaboration between Israel and India's Industries, and is a model of success of the ‘Make in India’ policy for the benefit of all parties. During the last year, under strict Covid-19 conditions, teams from IAI and India worked shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure this moment, following the validation of the system’s capabilities. The commitment of IAI to India, and to its Defence Forces, is unquestionable and we salute this Partnership for many years to come.”

Successful Test of the MRSAM
MRSAM Air & Missile Defence System jointly developed by IAI, Israel & DRDO India was successfully tested earlier in January 2021 at a test range in India. The MRSAM System includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, Command and Control, Mobile Launchers and Interceptors with Advanced RF Seeker. MRSAM. Jointly Developed by IAI and DRDO for Indian Forces, has IAI in collaboration with Israeli and Indian Industries, including: Rafael, TATA, BEL, L&T, BDL and many Private Vendors.

The successful test validated all components of the Weapon System to the customer’s satisfaction. Israeli Specialists and Indian Scientists and officers participated in and witnessed the test. The flight test demonstrated different extreme reference scenarios, validating various system capabilities. As part of the test the MRSAM Interceptor was launched from a Land-Based Mobile Launcher and successfully hit its threats. The scenario began by targeting the threat detected by the Systems Digital MMR Radar and launched the MRSAM Interceptor toward its operational trajectory. The interceptor acquired the target, and successfully intercepted it. All the Weapon System’s elements met the test goals successfully.

Boaz Levy, IAI’s President and CEO commented “MRSAM Air & Missile Defence System is a Cutting-edge, Innovative System, that once again has proven its advanced capabilities against a variety of threats. Every trial in an Air Defence System is a complex operational event and the COVID-19 limitations significantly increase the complexity. This trial is yet another testimonial to the strong Partnership between IAI and India and the two Nations. IAI is proud to lead this impressive cooperation with DRDO and the Indian Forces and is dedicated to its continued success.”

IAI’s Unmanned Aerial Systems
Building on four decades, IAI’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have accumulated over 2,000,000 operational flight hours over regions as diverse as deserts and mountain ranges, and conditions that range from tropical to arctic. Its wide range of Unmanned Aerial Systems gather Intelligence, Target Missions and Survey Borders in support of key Military and Law Enforcement Operations for more than 50 customers all over the world.

Strategic: Robust and combat proven, with hundreds of thousands of operational flight hours, IAI’s Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Systems allow complex Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) over any terrain, in any weather conditions. The multiple combat-proven operational configurations also include Maritime Patrol and Persistent Surveillance. Heron TP, Heron, Heron MK II, Long Runner, Aerial Persistence.

Tactical: For Medium-Range Surveillance for Situation Awareness, Protection, Reconnaissance, Target Acquisition or Damage Assessment, the User needs the flexibility, ruggedness and endurance that an IAI Tactical UAS System can offer. Tactical Heron, Searcher Mk III, BirdEye 650D, BirdEye 650, WanderB-VTOL, ThunderB-VTOL.

Ground Control Systems: Improve Real-Time Fleet Operation through centralized Command and Control of advanced UAS Missions. IAI’s Mission Operation and Intelligence Center (MOIC) and innovative Unified Control Station (UCS) are the latest in Ground Control Technology, processing massive amounts of data from multiple offline and online Sensors, maximizing mission flow efficiency and conserving manpower and resources.

IAI and HAL Sign Joint Works MoU to Offer Advanced UAVs to the Indian Defence Forces
Israel Aerospace Industries and Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) have signed a Joint Works agreement MoU at DefExpo 2022 to offer Israeli made UAVs to the Indian Armed Forces. According to the agreement, a major part of the Israeli developed UAVs will be manufactured by HAL to fulfil the ‘Make in India’ policy. The proposed Joint Venture is aimed at offering the Indian Armed Forces with advanced UAVs. The Joint Venture will offer two options – purchase or lease and will also be involved in adapting the UAVs to Indian regulations.

The first two types offered to the Indian Armed Forces will be the Heron Mk II and Tactical Heron (T-Heron). The IAI Heron Mk II can reach a ceiling of 35,000 feet and a max speed of 140 knots. The Mk II has a wider and longer fuselage than the Heron-1, to allow the installation of additional payloads. MTOW is 1350 Kgs. Max payload weight is 470 kg.

The new design , and especially the new improved engine gives the Mk II a climb rate that is 50 % greater than the Heron-1. The Mk II has an endurance of 45 hours. The capability of the Heron Mk II to “fly the mission” meaning that the platform fits itself to the mission profile. To achieve that IAI installed a Flight Control Computer and a separate dedicated Mission Computer. The new version is equipped with a Line of Sight Communications System and with a Satellite Communication System. The improved Communications Links enable the Mk II to use a large number of payloads in parallel and transmit the data to the different customers.

The Heron Mk II is offered with a variety of dedicated payloads - for Ground, Air and Maritime Missions including Anti-Submarine. The Heron Mk II is capable of landing and taking off in remote areas using the built-in Advanced Satellite Communications System. This capability is essential when the UAV needs to be operated continuously without going back to its home base. The Heron Mk II can automatically land in remote runways located thousands of kilometres away, where it is serviced by a small team and basic fuelling infrastructure, before it takes off for an additional mission. This capability is based on the Advanced Satellite Communications Systems, combined with precise Automated Take-Off and Landing.

The new capability also leads to substantial saving in Command Stations and flying staff resources since it eliminates the need to return to the original take-off point for fuelling, thus saving on flight time and fuel. This increases the operational availability in the mission area and provides several options for routine & emergency landing.

With the new capability, IAI’s Heron Mk II is used in even more complicated and challenging missions. The new capability was developed based on operational demands that are the result of a long series of tests performed by the Flight Test Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

The second type that will be offered by the new Joint Venture is the Tactical Heron (T-Heron). The T-Heron is designed for use by ground troops and Coastal Guards, as well as by other Protection Forces. With a versatile design and suitable for a variety of payloads, it features the most advanced IAI Technologies.

The T-Heron has a MTOW of 600 kgs including a 180 kgs payload. Its endurance is 24 hours. This UAV can fly at a max altitude of 24,000 feet, speed of 120 knots and supports 4 useful payloads concurrently with a total weight of up to 400 pound. The T-Heron complies with global standards, including STANAG 4671 requirements. The T-Heron UAV has a retractable nose landing gear, to allow a Radar payload an unobstructed field of view and it has a full Automatic Take-Off and Landing (ATOL) Capability.

IAI has signed this MoU agreement with HAL for the Leasing, Operation and Maintenance of Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Indian Defence Forces. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) at DefExpo 2022. Through this MoU, HAL and IAI will collaborate on a prospective programme of leasing UAV Systems to the Indian Defence Forces.

Fully supporting India’s vision of ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and the long-lasting partnership and commitment between the two countries, IAI also announced the opening of its subsidiary IAI India Private Limited, which will provide customer support, marketing, and business development services for IAI Solutions.

From Radars and Defence Systems for Air, Land, and Sea to Unmanned Aerial Systems and other Intelligence Solutions, including Satellites and Electronic Surveillance, Cyber and more, IAI has been jointly developing tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions for India’s unique challenges for three decades now.

It also manufactures the famous Heron TP Armed Drones, which have been acquired by the Indian Army to boost its Surveillance Operations, especially near the LAC. Focused on their common threat of international terrorism and the use of technology to get rid of it, India and Israel are already working together to produce Next-Generation Drones.

With PM Modi keen on Israeli Defence Companies benefitting from opportunities of co-development and co-production in India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had exchanged a ‘Letter of Intent’ on enhancing cooperation in the field of Futuristic Defence Technologies with his visiting Israeli counterpart Benjamin Gantz in June this year. It followed last November’s Bilateral Innovation Agreement (BIA) between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel’s Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) to jointly develop Next-Generation Technologies and products such as Drones, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and unhackable Quantum Computing.

Under the agreement, Start-Ups and Industries of both countries will work together to bring out Next-Generation Technologies and products in the areas such as Drones, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, Photonics, Biosensing, Brain-machine Interface, Energy Storage, Wearable Devices, Natural Language Processing, etc. Products and technologies will also be customised to meet the unique requirements of both countries. The development efforts will be jointly funded by DRDO and DDR&D, Israel. The technologies developed under BIA will be available to both countries for their domestic applications.

Maritime Heron: Next-Generation Maritime Solution
The IAI Maritime Heron is the optimal solution that puts the UAS in control, at Sea and Beyond-the-Horizon. Incorporating more than 40 years of experience and proven operationally worldwide, the Maritime Heron UAS carries out Maritime Patrol and Intelligence-gathering Missions, from Detection, Classification, to Identification. The Heron in its Maritime Configuration is used by several Naval Forces around the world in Homeland Security, Paramilitary and Wartime Scenarios, it offers extended operational endurance (up to 45 continuous hours); increased scanning area, range, time over target and mission flexibility, as well as, real-time assessment of Battle Damage. IAI's Maritime UAS consists of: Land- or Sea-based Unified Control System (UCS); Ground Data Terminal (GDT); Mission-oriented payloads; SATCOM.

The UAS’ full array of intelligence gathering capabilities is made possible thanks to its capacity to carry Multiple Payloads and Sensors simultaneously. A typical operational configuration consists of a Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR) with Multi-mode Functions, an Electro-optical Sensor with day/night capabilities and an optional Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) package. The system is capable of utilizing customer furnished Sensor Suites. Operational range of the Heron is limited only by fuel availability, with missions ranging over 1,000 km from its operating base, with Low-Altitude Mission height.

Features: Electro-Optical (TV & IR Combi or Triple Sensor TV/IR/LRF/LD), Wideeye Scan; Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR) + AIS; Communications Intelligence (COMINT - HF, VHF, UHF/ DF); Global System Mobile (GSM); Electronic Support Measures /Electronic Intelligence (ESM/ELINT); Aerial Persistence; Sonobuoy (Acoustic Detector); Magnetic Detector (MAD); Customer furnished Payloads & Sensor Suites; Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF); Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS); Integrated ATC Communication Relay; Direct Line-of-Sight (LOS) Data Link; Satellite Communication (SATCOM); UAV Airborne Data Relay (ADR) for beyond LOS missions; Ground-based Data Relay (GDR) for beyond LOS missions.

Technical Details: Max. Take-off Weight: 1,270 kg; Max Payload Weight: 470 kg; Overall Length: 8.5 m; Wingspan: 16.6 m; Performance - Endurance: Up to 45 h (continuous); Range: LOS>350 km, BLOS > 1000 km; Altitude:> 35,000 ft; Loiter speed: 60-80 KTAS;     Max speed: >140 KTAS.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and 2Excel Aviation successfully completed a demonstration of IAI's Maritime Heron UAS in a series of live, Beyond Visual Line of Sight Maritime Search and ISR scenarios. The demonstration was based out of West Wales Airport in Aberporth, Wales. The Heron UAS was ready to fly within 36 hours of arriving at West Wales and maintained full serviceability throughout the period of the deployment. The Heron UAS achieved 100% of its planned scenarios, despite the challenging seasonal weather conditions. The system demonstrated that it is highly capable in missions including Search and Rescue, Border Protection, fisheries patrol, safety at sea, Small Boat Detection and Surveillance and other activities.

Advanced Unmanned Surface Vessels
Autonomous Systems, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence algorithms to enable distributed Maritime Applications and advanced operational capabilities. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel's leading Aerospace & Defence manufacturer, designs & develops first-in-class series of 17m Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for the entire range of Military and Commercial applications. IAI specialises in the Autonomous Control System and integrating various Mission Payloads to the Control System Units according to the Users mission requirements.

Comprising of Advanced Sensors, Sonars and Imaging Systems that are integrated into a Unified Command and Control System, the USV can operate either Remotely, Semi-Autonomously, or Autonomously, requiring no human intervention. Designed to suit all customers’ requirements, the bespoke vessel will offer unique capabilities in terms of modularity, payload, range, maneuverability, and performance.

Military Applications for the USV include Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Border and Littoral Zone Patrol, Maritime Security Operations, Mine Detection and sweeping, Submarine Detection And Anti-Submarine Warfare, Deployment Platform For Vtol Vehicles and can also be customised for Commercial applications such as oceanography, pollution monitoring, oil and gas exploration, transportation of materials and liquids, Search and Rescue, fire-fighting and first interventions.