New army satellite system to be deployed across country
IDF brigade commanders will be able to receive real-time live footage of ground events directly to mobile phones as new satellite system will be deployed in topographically-challenged areas
In the next few weeks, the three regional IDF
commands – Northern, Southern and Central – are expected to be deployed with a new satellite system developed by the Computer Service Directorate.
The new system will dramatically improve the real-time observation skills on topographically-challenged areas, such as the northern Golan Heights, where explosive devices were planted near an IDF force this past weekend. In many cases, terrorist cells exploit "dead zones" to try and approach the border and infiltrate into Israel.
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So far, the IDF used observation and monitoring systems based on cameras, radars and occasionally drones near the Syrian border and other locations. The new system will be an additional force for the commanders of the regional brigades across the different operational areas.
The new system, which was tested as a pilot over the last month in drills held at the Central Command, will provide a real-time live picture for any point to which the satellite will be directed, regardless of the conditions on the ground or weather.
Illustration (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
It is an ability that until now was only used by senior officers, such as the Air Force chief, however now the system will be accessible to brigade and ground commanders who will be able to get a satellite image directly to their mobile phones from the computer service commanders while on their way to the field or already in the midst of an operation.
"The pilot was successful and this system can be launched and connected to within few minutes. We saw in recent incidents in Judea and Samaria that such events happen quickly and the commanders on the ground should be able to run these operations based on online intelligence. Through this satellite, the information will be given regardless of space," said Central Command Computer Service Commander Colonel Yariv Nir.
The Northern Command expressed much satisfaction with the new system. "We face an enemy with technological skills, in Syria and in Lebanon," said Northern Command Computer Service Commander Colonel Haim Nimni.
In addition to the new satellite system, the Northern Command is planning to re-encrypt the network connections in the Syrian sector. The network will be backed with intense defense of fear of penetration into the communication networks of the forces and due to the increasing threats in the area.
In addition, the Southern Command completed the deployment of an innovative computing system that allows connecting in areas considered as "dead zones" along the Egyptian border, where the reception is weak to nonexistent.
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