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New Israeli technology, making a tank disappear
JERUSALEM, May 9 (Xinhua) -- In the modern battlefield, as thermal imaging and radar detection systems grow more sophisticated by the day, war machines are increasingly vulnerable to enemy fire. Would an armored battalion commander want to be able to make his tanks simply vanish from enemy eyes? You can bet on it.
Eltics Ltd., an Israeli start-up that develops electronic warfare systems, says it has come up with technology that will eventually turn fantasy into reality -- a system that can make tanks, armored personnel carriers, helicopter gunships and even naval vessels invisible to night vision systems and heat-seeking missiles.
The company and its technology, the Eltics system or Black Fox Active Adaptive IR Stealth System, were revealed for the first time on Sunday by Israeli TV Channel 10.
The Black Fox system equips any tank, helicopter or ship with a FLIR camera that photographs the surroundings in which they are operating. The system then analyzes the area's thermal signature and screens the exact same signature onto plates fitted on the machine, thus enabling it to completely disintegrate from sight.
"A tank, armored personnel carrier or ship, equipped with this system, become invisible to thermal night vision systems, guided missiles and a missile's sight," explained Eltics CEO Ronen Meir, in his first televised appearance.The Eltics system promises something that has never been done before.
Armies around the world are investing enormous resources in finding original ways to protect their hardware and human assets. So far, the results are far from satisfactory.
According to Fresh.co.il, a prestigious Hebrew website on recent military technological innovations, the Danish military, for instance, has fitted its Leopard tanks in Afghanistan with Barracuda, a mobile camouflage suit that reduces the tanks' heat signature.
Bluecher Systems have developed Ghost, special anti-thermal fatigues, for combat troops, which are part of the German Army's Infanterist der Zukunft ("soldiers of the future") program.
Black Fox, which has a potential to revolutionize the future battlefield, is currently at the advanced prototype level.
"In the past, it was customary to say 'we own the night' but today it is said 'we share the night,'" said CEO Meir in a telephone interview with Xinhua, referring to the fact that sophisticated night vision technology has become accessible to everyone, both regular armies and militants."With this system, we give the advantage of night warfare back to some guys, beginning at the intelligence level and up to the tactical and strategic level," added Meir.
The CEO declined to comment on further questions about the system, citing its high secrecy. However, he did say that Eltics is financed by private investors and is now awaiting a substantial capital flow of 5 million U.S.dollars.
Meir would neither comment on when he expects the system to turn operational nor on future customers. However, Israel will probably be the first to benefit from the new technology.
JERUSALEM, May 9 (Xinhua) -- In the modern battlefield, as thermal imaging and radar detection systems grow more sophisticated by the day, war machines are increasingly vulnerable to enemy fire. Would an armored battalion commander want to be able to make his tanks simply vanish from enemy eyes? You can bet on it.
Eltics Ltd., an Israeli start-up that develops electronic warfare systems, says it has come up with technology that will eventually turn fantasy into reality -- a system that can make tanks, armored personnel carriers, helicopter gunships and even naval vessels invisible to night vision systems and heat-seeking missiles.
The company and its technology, the Eltics system or Black Fox Active Adaptive IR Stealth System, were revealed for the first time on Sunday by Israeli TV Channel 10.
The Black Fox system equips any tank, helicopter or ship with a FLIR camera that photographs the surroundings in which they are operating. The system then analyzes the area's thermal signature and screens the exact same signature onto plates fitted on the machine, thus enabling it to completely disintegrate from sight.
"A tank, armored personnel carrier or ship, equipped with this system, become invisible to thermal night vision systems, guided missiles and a missile's sight," explained Eltics CEO Ronen Meir, in his first televised appearance.The Eltics system promises something that has never been done before.
Armies around the world are investing enormous resources in finding original ways to protect their hardware and human assets. So far, the results are far from satisfactory.
According to Fresh.co.il, a prestigious Hebrew website on recent military technological innovations, the Danish military, for instance, has fitted its Leopard tanks in Afghanistan with Barracuda, a mobile camouflage suit that reduces the tanks' heat signature.
Bluecher Systems have developed Ghost, special anti-thermal fatigues, for combat troops, which are part of the German Army's Infanterist der Zukunft ("soldiers of the future") program.
Black Fox, which has a potential to revolutionize the future battlefield, is currently at the advanced prototype level.
"In the past, it was customary to say 'we own the night' but today it is said 'we share the night,'" said CEO Meir in a telephone interview with Xinhua, referring to the fact that sophisticated night vision technology has become accessible to everyone, both regular armies and militants."With this system, we give the advantage of night warfare back to some guys, beginning at the intelligence level and up to the tactical and strategic level," added Meir.
The CEO declined to comment on further questions about the system, citing its high secrecy. However, he did say that Eltics is financed by private investors and is now awaiting a substantial capital flow of 5 million U.S.dollars.
Meir would neither comment on when he expects the system to turn operational nor on future customers. However, Israel will probably be the first to benefit from the new technology.
