Arie Egozi/TEL AVIV
Israeli electronics manufacturer Elta has developed and begun manufacture of the first podded synthetic-aperture radar (SAR)system that can be carried on fighter-sized aircraft as small as the Lockheed Martin F-16. Lockheed Martin's tactical aircraft division will work with Elta to market the radar.
The EL/M-2060P system can "build a high quality reconnaissance picture of a large area", according to a company source. Elta has not disclosed system performance parameters, but sources suggest that it has a capability hitherto achieved only by SAR systems carried on large platforms, such as the Boeing E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System.
The new pod is among the systems to be evaluated by the UK Defence Research Agency as part of a Ministry of Defence programme to assess the suitability of podded SAR/ground moving target indicator systems for tactical reconnaissance (Flight International, 13-19 January).
Although no launch customer has been disclosed, it is likely that the Israeli Defence Force has ordered the system, at least for evaluation purposes.
Source: Flight International
