Defense firm Elbit Systems announced new contracts worth some $100 million with the Israeli Defense Ministry to develop advanced digitization capabilities for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the company said in a statement on Monday.
“The most important objective of the system is to increase force survivability while also enhancing lethality. Our goal is to help every customer using our systems complete their mission and return home safely, in the best possible manner,” Doron Daniel, Senior VP of Elbit’s Network and Warframe Systems, told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post.
The announcement includes two key features: the development of a fifth-generation digitization array for the IDF through the Digital Ground Army (Tzayad) and Multi-Sensor Border Defense System (MARS) programs.
Tzayad will be focusing on “delivering advanced command and control capabilities to headquarters at all levels as well as to maneuvering and attacking forces, with full multi-domain connectivity across air, sea, and land,” according to Elbit.
In addition, one of the key capabilities of the Tzayad system will be supporting operational and tactical decision-making through advanced artificial intelligence tools.
MARS will implement advanced AI-based capabilities, a rapid integration of a wide range of sensors and effectors, broad multi-mission management, and multi-service connectivity as its key assets.
“The new systems will constitute another significant leap in the IDF’s capabilities in the fields of C4I and digital, and represent a direct implementation of the lessons learned from combat over the past two years,” said Colonel S., head of the Aderet Department in the Ground Technological Division.
While AI will be implemented in these new defense programs, it does not aim to replace soldiers in the field.
“AI will not replace the human in the loop. Ultimately, decisions are made by human beings who understand the entire process surrounding the result, both the decision-making and the outcome of that decision,” Daniel told D&T.
According to him, AI will serve as a support tool that provides insights from the massive amounts of data on the digital battlefield, enabling soldiers to make the best possible decisions.
“When we analyze this together with our clients, we understand the overall impact; as a result, most of the engines we develop and integrate into the solution are designed to assist the commander, to focus their attention and extract insights from massive volumes of data in a digital battlefield, enabling them to make the best possible decision,” he said.
“However, responsibility for the decision always remains with the commander,” he assured.
This AI system was developed in collaboration with the Defense Ministry and the IDF, Daniel explained, adding that “thanks to it being an open architecture system, it is also possible to integrate best-in-class technologies and grids that meet IDF requirements and are approved for use within its operational systems.”
Daniel also explained to D&T that the current digitization array is the result of more than 20 years of developing the Digital Army Program (DAP) initiative, which enables the IDF forces to understand their own position, the disposition of friendly forces, and the location of adversary elements, while supporting a wide range of additional operational functions.
“Over the years, following a long and continuous development journey and the introduction of increasingly advanced capabilities, the system has evolved significantly. Today, each node and each force has the capability to plan its (and subordinates) next mission and execute it using the full range of digital tools available to it within its specific tactical or deployed operational environment,” Daniel said.
“These new programs will enable us to develop unique, world‑leading capabilities in the fields of digital warfare and artificial intelligence – capabilities that will significantly enhance operational effectiveness and provide the IDF with a substantial technological advantage on the modern battlefield,” said Haim Delmar, General Manager of Elbit Systems C4I & Cyber.