Elisra completes anti-aircraft missile interception and detection system

The $1.5 million system detects the missiles by tracking infrared radiation.

Dror Marom    2 Dec 02 

Sources inform “Globes” that Elisra Electronic Systems is the first Israeli company to complete development of a operational system, the Passive Approach Warning System (PAWS), for detecting and disabling missiles fired against passenger aircraft.

Elisra president and CEO Avner Raz today announced that his company would supply the Israel Air Force with a system of this type for detecting and disabling heat-guided missiles launched at cargo planes and helicopters. PAWS will enable the Israel Air Force to protect its VIP airplanes and helicopters, which transport the prime minister, the minister of defense, and senior Israel Defense Forces officers.

For the first time, Elisra’s PAWS makes possible accurate detection of missiles, by tracking their infrared radiation. In addition to the basic detection, PAWS can also provide an airplane with accurate information about the type and direction of the threat. PAWS also analyzes ways of coping with the threat.

Elisra asserts that infrared has been proven more effective than ultraviolet, upon which Rafael’s still incomplete system is based.

Raz said Elisra could immediately supply the $1.5 million product to interested commercial aviation companies, but added that US Federal Aviation Authority approval would first have to approve the system.

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 2, 2002