IAI’s Elta division has introduced an improved version of its proven ELM-2060P podded synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system. The next-generation ELM-2060PES version produces higher resolution SAR images over wider areas and at longer ranges.
The system is carried in a pod similar to a fuel tank beneath combat aircraft and is especially useful in conducting reconnaissance at night and in challenging environmental conditions, such as fog, heavy clouds, rain, and smoke. The pod contains the SAR radar with ground-moving target indication (GMTI) capability, which uses a large active electronically-scanned array that peers sideways. Data is transmitted to and from ground exploitation systems by a bi-directional line-of-sight ELK-1882 H/T datalink with an airborne datalink terminal. The 1,130-pound pod uses its own cooling system and can be rapidly attached or removed from a standard hardpoint.
