The Israeli red sky: forging a rock-solid sky

Elbit Systems recently introduced a new air defense system that can protect airspace up to 7 kilometers away and 4,572 (15,000 feet) meters high.

Red Sky is a tactical air defense system designed for very short range air defense (VSHORAD)aimed at low-altitude aerial threats.

Recently, the Israeli company won a contract worth approximately $50 million to supply this system to an international buyer.

Under the agreement, Elbit Systems will supply two Red Sky batteries, providing a complete defense solution that combines both. Passive protection includes measures such as camouflage and armor to avoid detection and damage, while active protection uses weapons or technology to intercept and neutralize threats.

Passive protection includes measures such as camouflage and armor to avoid detection and damage, while active protection uses weapons or technology to intercept and neutralize threats.

What does the Red Sky system entail?

The Red Sky VSHORAD includes Redrone: an electronic warfare (EW) solution aimed at detecting, identifying, locating and neutralizing unmanned aerial systems.

Elbit’s Redrone features DAir Radar,

SIGINT sensors, an RF jammer and a COAPS-L EO electro-optical payload.

● DAIR Radar is a type of radar technology used to detect and track objects, providing accurate information about their location and movement.

● SIGINT sensors are devices used to collect signal information. They capture electronic signals from communications and other electronic systems, allowing analysts to intercept, decipher and analyze these signals for intelligence purposes.

● An RF jammer is a device that disrupts radio frequencies, preventing devices such as radios, cell phones, and drones from communicating effectively by emitting interference signals.

● COAPS-L EO’s electro-optical payload consists of advanced sensors and cameras that capture high-quality images and data, using light to detect and monitor objects in various conditions.

In addition, it is equipped with anti-aircraft missile launchers.

The system is designed to detect, disrupt and neutralize UAVs, providing a reliable, real-time overview of aerial activities and preventing drones from entering sensitive areas.

The radar system can simultaneously detect multiple targets and track objects while continuing to search for additional UAVs in the sky. It also contains a jammer that can disable UAVs within its range.

It can track drones from any direction and block them if necessary.

Key features to note

Elbit Systems also offers hard kill options with the Red Sky, including everything from remote-controlled weapon stations to air defense turrets.

● Hard kill options refer to defensive methods that physically destroy or neutralize incoming threats, such as missiles or drones, using weapons such as guns or missile interceptors.

● Air defense turrets are mounted weapon systems designed to detect, track and shoot down aircraft, missiles or drones using guns or missiles.

The first product to be introduced with Red Sky is the TORC 30, an advanced air defense dome.

The TORC 30 system features a soft-kill anti-drone system, infrared missiles and an anti-aircraft gun that can fire up to 600 rounds per minute. It also allows remote control of a Rheinmetall MK30-2/ABM 30mm gun mounted on an armored vehicle.

● Soft kill refers to methods that disable or deter enemy equipment without causing physical destruction, often using electronic warfare to disrupt or deceive.

Red Sky is also designed to utilize the full capabilities of MANPADS (Man-portable air defense systems ) rockets. The system can be adapted to fire various missiles, including GROM, IGLA-S, SA-16/14, Mistral or Stinger.

The third offering in addition to VSHORAD includes Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), designed to improve the accuracy of weapons and machine guns.

The system also features ‘smart firing’, which means it only activates after the target has been confirmed. Additionally, it has the ability to jam unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Additional important benefits

Red Sky can be controlled remotely by just one person, making it a very effective defense system.

It also has the ability to suppress rogue drones and land them safely. Moreover, it can function continuously and in all weather conditions.

● “Ignoring rogue drones” means taking control of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate outside of intended parameters or against regulations, effectively neutralizing potential threats by diverting them or landing them safely.

Given the increasing deployment of UAVs worldwide in conflict and conflict-like scenarios, this system can be extremely valuable in protecting against such threats.

Furthermore, it provides a cost-effective option compared to other major air defense systems and missiles currently in use.

(The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not reflect the editorial position of Business Upturn)