Extended-Range, AI-Driven Pod Demoed for Customers Last Year

Rafael has completed the development of RecceLite XR, the third version of its podded reconnaissance system for fighter aircraft, and has demonstrated the capability to an audience of industry partners and customers. The demonstration took place late last year, and involved “a series of operational tasks and successful execution” by the system,” according to a company release.

The multi-spectral real-time system includes sensors in a pod, a digital downlink and a ground station for data exploitation. The XR version boasts an extended range over previous iterations, with the company saying it is now effective at ranges up to 80km: it operates in four wavebands – visual, near infra-red, medium wavelength infra-red, and short wavelength infra-red – and is stabilised. The system uses artificial intelligence algorithms to enable wide-area surveillance.

“This demo illustrated part of Rafael’s spectrum of combat-proven intelligence capabilities which are critical in today’s asymmetric, urban-warfare environments,” said Ofer Weinberg, VP for Business Development and Marketing for Rafael’s air and C4ISR systems division. “In these arenas, detecting and classifying elusive enemies presents a significant challenge that air forces around the world must successfully overcome.“