Unmanned technologies appear set to revolutionise other business sectors over the coming years, including the emerging unmanned ground vehicle sector. Israel's two largest defence contractors, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems, are both working on such systems, each using modified Tomcar dune buggy chassis.
In a marked departure from its usual military aircraft activities, the business innovation element of IAI's Lahav unit has developed and trialled the Guardium unmanned surveillance vehicle for duties such as perimeter patrol of military facilities or airports. The system works by operating in a known area using a stored 3D digital map, with the vehicle having demonstrated a maximum speed of 80km/h (50mph). IAI's concept of operations is to deploy the vehicle from a quick-reaction "kennel", for example if a perimeter fence has been breached, with an operator in the loop for decision-making. It has an endurance of 8-12h with a 300kg (660lb) payload, possibly including weapons.
Elbit finished second in the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency-led Grand Challenge contest, completing a distance of 11km (7 miles) in 10h. While this fell well short of the 320km set for the test, the Avidor vehicle managed a top speed of 40km/h and used navigation and control systems using horizontal and vertical lasers, acoustic sensors, stereoscopic vision cameras and imaging radar.
Unmanned technologies appear set to revolutionise other business sectors over the coming years, including the emerging unmanned ground vehicle sector. Israel's two largest defence contractors, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems, are both working on such systems, each using modified Tomcar dune buggy chassis.
In a marked departure from its usual military aircraft activities, the business innovation element of IAI's Lahav unit has developed and trialled the Guardium unmanned surveillance vehicle for duties such as perimeter patrol of military facilities or airports. The system works by operating in a known area using a stored 3D digital map, with the vehicle having demonstrated a maximum speed of 80km/h (50mph). IAI's concept of operations is to deploy the vehicle from a quick-reaction "kennel", for example if a perimeter fence has been breached, with an operator in the loop for decision-making. It has an endurance of 8-12h with a 300kg (660lb) payload, possibly including weapons.
Elbit finished second in the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency-led Grand Challenge contest, completing a distance of 11km (7 miles) in 10h. While this fell well short of the 320km set for the test, the Avidor vehicle managed a top speed of 40km/h and used navigation and control systems using horizontal and vertical lasers, acoustic sensors, stereoscopic vision cameras and imaging radar.
Source: Flight International
