The new system will display real-time images on cockpit screens and in control units and enable rapid in-flight briefing of helicopter crews scrambled to the battle area. This will cut the time delay for latest area scan to reach the airborne crew. The Israel Air Force believes that this system will help the rapid interception of terrorist squads as they launch Quassam rockets into Israel. An advanced debriefing system is tobe installed in Blackhawk helicopters.
By Shir Cohen and Elad Erdan
Aerial video from UAVs and radar screens will soon be transmitted in real-time to attack helicopter pilots. This is being made possible by the installation of a video-sharing system- the first of its kind – developed jointly by Commtact Ltd and Tadiran. This system brings together simultaneously video feeds from different sources and displays them on cockpit screens, at Air Control Units and in the IAF Control Center.
IAF Helicopter Commander, Captain A., explained: “This has been developed to achieve closer, higher quality team work in field operations by providing the pilots and the senior Ground Forces commanders with full and reliable data in real time.”
This new system should reduce by 80% the time spent briefing a flight crew that enters a particular zone.
This saving of time should make the interception of rocket launching squads much more efficient. Captain A. added:“ This new system can cut the latency period, during which no aircraft is scanning the zone, and lead to virtually continuous monitoring of the terror squads.” For example, if any pilot picks out a launcher squad, he can keep on tracking it and updating the approaching aircraft in real time, until the attack helicopter reaches the area.
Deployment of the video sharing system began about two months ago (end of May, 2008) and completion of this program will see the system installed on all PETEN, SARAF & Tsefa helicopters of the IAF. The CEO of Commtact Ltd, Mr. Shahar Kravitz, explained:“We believe that this new system will enhance the operational capabilities of IAF pilots and greatly help the task of target assignment.”
At the same time a new debriefing system is being installed aboard Blackhawk helicopters. “ This system enables the commander to see the battle scene and all relevant flight data, almost as they are seen by the pilot during a mission,” commented KAPPAT Squadron leader Captain R. of the IAF Training and Debriefing Center.
