SkEye wide area persistent surveillance (WAPS) solution displayed
Elbit Systems used the Paris Air Show to show for the first time its SkEye wide area persistent surveillance (WAPS) solution to a European market witnessing increased intelligence requirements following a spate of recent terror attacks.
According to Elbit Systems’ Chief Executive Officer, Butzi Machlis, the company has identified the SkEye WAPS product as a significant growth area as the contemporary operating environment continues to evolve.
“We see growing demand for intelligence solutions worldwide, especially in Europe,” Machlis explained. “We are all aware of the threat of terrorism and being a vertical intelligence solutions provider is a huge advantage. We can merge, combine and fuse together all the relevant information for decision making processes.”
Capable of being integrated on board a variety of airborne platforms, SkEye WAPS is controlled from a ground control station which is also responsible for the processing, exploitation and dissemination of data. It can also be networked to the GroundEye surveillance solution, Elbit Systems explained.
According to Elbit Systems documents, possible platforms for integration include the HERMES 450 and 900 unmanned aerial vehicles, (as seen on MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #6/2017’s cover, available at the show), as well as Multi Mission Aircraft with Machlis claiming the solution is already, “operational,” with undisclosed users. Options include the Cessna 208B and Twin OTTER DHC-6 with a feasibility also having been conducted for integration on board King AIR platforms.
SkEye comprises 1.2 billion pixel imagery, capable of generating a 100sqkm operating picture for analysts to exploit. It has the capacity to execute human and vehicle detection and recognition serials in multiple modes including persistent video surveillance and video image strip. The payload must be operated at an altitude of 30,000ft above ground level in order to maximise its geographic coverage, it was explained.
Payloads can also be controlled and analysed simultaneously by multiple users on the ground with both real time and back in time coverage. Machlis also explained how SkEye could be integrated on board third party Command and Control technologies. Data can also be centrally archived in a data centre for the exploitation of historical data which has been geo-tagged as metadata.
The payload, which weighs a total of 80kg, is capable of monitoring up to 10 Regions of Interest concurrently as well as independently. It can also be carried on board the HERMES 900 in addition to the fore-mounted Electro-Optical/InfraRed (EO/IR) payload.
“We are transferring all raw data from a network of C2 sensors to create knowledge out of data and of course we deal with big data as well,” Machlist added. “We have the whole food chain in Elbit Systems. Our mission, based on these capabilities and operational programmes, is to tailor to our specific customer needs.”
Elbit is targeting homeland security missions including counter-terrorism and protection of critical national infrastructure; as well as event protection, company officials concluded.
Andrew White
