Lockheed Martin, IAI incorporate Elta Sytems radar in integrated air defence offering

The Barak family brings a range of interceptor options to the integrated solution. (Israel Aerospace Industries)

Lockheed Martin and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) are incorporating an Elta Systems radar as part of an integrated medium-range air-defence (MRAD) solution, Janes has learned.

In March 2022 Lockheed Martin and IAI announced that they would partner to offer a solution that combines the Lockheed Martin UK-developed SkyKeeper ground-based air-defence (GBAD) and battle management capability with IAI's Barak MX surface-to-air missile system.

Janes believes that the Elta Systems radar could be the ELM-2084 multimission system, but this is not confirmed.

According to Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK), the largely International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free SkyKeeper system can integrate multiple sensors into a networked system for not only GBAD, but also counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) and counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar purposes. It can also act as a ‘funnel' for tactical air picture and wider intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) information, the company says.

Richard Turner, GBAD business development manager at LMUK, told Janes that the work involved in the IAI/Elta integration project is proving SkyKeeper as an MRAD battle manager for that specific sensor/effector mix, but he noted that the system can also exchange data with additional external sensors or could incorporate short-range air defence or C-UAS sensors and effectors.

Turner added that with the integrated MRAD solution the partnership is looking to meet the requirements of a “key UK/US ally outside NATO”, but he could not be more specific.