Mounted on an aerostat, the radar can see beyond terrain and other obstructions that limit ground-level sensors. IAI said this elevated position supports earlier detection of low-altitude threats.
The platform is designed to operate without permanent infrastructure and relocate quickly as surveillance requirements change. It can track multiple targets, support several missions simultaneously and prioritize threats according to operational needs.
POINT@AIR is based on the ELM-2083 radar family and uses active electronically scanned array, or AESA, technology. Electronic scanning in azimuth and elevation works with mechanical rotation to provide 360-degree coverage.
“POINT@AIR reflects a fundamental shift in how persistent surveillance can be delivered – bringing sophisticated radar capabilities to an elevated platform that is smaller, more mobile and adaptable to the mission,” said Dror Bar, chief executive of ELTA Systems and executive vice president at IAI. “Our goal was not simply to reduce the size of an existing solution, but to rethink what an aerostat-based radar could achieve.”
“By combining advanced AESA technology, long-range detection and 360-degree coverage in a compact configuration, POINT@AIR gives operators the ability to establish persistent awareness where fixed infrastructure may not be practical,” Bar said. The radar can also connect to command-and-control systems to contribute to an integrated operational picture.
“Seeing the battlespace is the starting point for every effective defense,” said Guy Bar Lev, IAI’s president and chief executive. “The more persistent and comprehensive that view becomes, the better equipped forces are to understand what is unfolding, anticipate threats and act with confidence.”
“IAI is increasingly developing the next-generation capabilities that expand the boundaries of situational awareness and provide our customers with greater visibility, flexibility and time to respond,” Bar Lev said. The company announced the system on October 11 ahead of its planned unveiling at the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting & Exposition.
