Tel Aviv. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered Passive Coherent Location (PCL) Systems to a strategic customer through its subsidiary ELTA Systems Ltd.
PCL systems serve as a “passive radar”: they perform full air surveillance – detecting and tracking aerial targets to form an air situational picture – without emitting radiation. Their passive operation provides high survivability against targeted attacks and immunity from jamming.
The PCL system detects targets when they reflect broadcast transmissions, providing 3D real-time omnidirectional coverage for tracking multiple targets in congested airborne traffic. One or a network of antennas receives the reflections and can be located on remote borders and in urban areas. The PCL can be deployed independently or as an additional layer for air control radars as part of a multi-disciplinary solution providing an air situational picture. The system is manufactured by ELTA Systems Ltd., IAI’s defence electronics division.
The new systems are operational and support customers by providing real-time aerial mapping of non-emitting threats.
The Passive Coherent Location (PCL) System (ELK-7080) generates air situation picture based on target reflection from non-cooperative transmissions from FM or Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) towers. The reflections are received by one or a network of antennas, providing 3D real-time omnidirectional coverage and enabling accurate detection and tracking of multiple targets in congested airborne traffic. The PCL does not transmit, thereby not exposing its location.
According to IAI, the PCL system is simple to deploy and can be located on remote borders, as well as in urban areas. With 360 degree coverage, installation can include one sensor or a cluster of sensors for redundancy and improved coverage of specific problematic areas. The sites are connected to the central PCL command and control processing unit via a dedicated data link.
The system can operate independently or as a passive system integrated with air defence radars, providing enhanced detection, classification and air situation picture.
Adi Dulberg, VP and GM of IAI ELTA’s intelligence, communications and EW division said, “In times of conflict, a reliable and accurate air situation picture is crucial to national defence. The PCL system will allow our strategic customers to maintain their air situational picture in the face of targeted threats. We will continue developing and promoting innovative and trailblazing solutions, providing our allies with a significant advantage.”
According to Gideon Fostick, director marketing, intelligence, communications and EW, the CPL systems is based on receiving the energy transmitted by radio transmitters. “This energy is reflected by the object a UAV , plane , helicopter and the PCL system with the use of very advanced algorithm shows it accurate location,” he added.
“The PCL system is critical when the energy transmitted by an active radar makes it easier for the enemy to locate it and the forces that operate it. If there are no radio transmitters in the area of interest, we can put some basic ones to enable the PCl to function,” Gideon Fostick said.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world-leading aerospace and defence company innovating and delivering state-of-the-art technologies in space, air, land, naval, cyber and homeland security for defence and commercial markets. Combining the “Start-up Nation” spirit of innovation with decades of combat-proven experience, 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.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
