Elbit brings to Paris its Revolutionary SkEye Sensor

13 June, 2017

SkEye Optical sensor is a Google-style mega-camera to cover wide areas up to 80 square kilometer. It can replace the equivalent of 10 Surveillance platforms working simultaneously

Today’s surveillance technology allows defense and police organisations to gain situational awareness of wide areas by using multiple aerial platforms carrying many optical sensors and to combine all the information sources on the ground. But what if you had only one aerial platform with mega-size camera that gives you all the information needed in a Google style zoom-in capabilities? This is exactly what Elbit’s revolutionary optical payload SkEye gives.

Elbit Systems will reveal at the 2017 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, taking place this week, its newest innovative wide area persistent surveillance solution – SkEye. The SkEye camera comprises advanced capabilities in the field of imagery intelligence gathering, providing a complete high-resolution picture and up to 80 square kilometer coverage of the Area of Interest  (AOI) to a large number of users.

Visual Intelligence (VISINT) gathering was traditionally available in a designated video format. The user could see and record only the area the Electro Optic (EO) payload was viewing, while missing the surrounding area. SkEye WAPS changes this paradigm by persistently observing and recording a wider area than ever before. It offers the system’s users the ability to select real-time or “back in time” video footage within the covered area without being limited to a single segment. Up to ten Regions of Interest (ROI) can be thoroughly analyzed simultaneously using video footage from the recent and previous missions.

Elbit SkEye Operator Screen
Many Simultaneous and Independent Monitoring of Multiple Targets

It means that one SkEye mission can take the place of 10 different flying sensors. While looking over a large Area-of Interest (AOI), operators can zoom into multiple Regions of Interest (ROI) simultaneously and understand the connection between them. This is achieved without neglecting the rest of the area, which is still being recorded and constantly analyzed.

Installation on Manned and Unmanned Platforms

The heart of the system is an airborne segment consisting of the EO sensor unit, an advanced image processing unit, a large mass storage unit and analysis applications. Via an embedded data link, the relevant information is transmitted from the aircraft to the SkEye, Control and Management Center (SCMC) (fixed or mobile), which can be integrated with the customer’s Command & Control (C2) solution.

Elbit offer t supply SkEye onboard its Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 UAS platforms. It is also possible to install the system in manned aircraft such as Twin Otter (DHC-6). Elbit reported this week that it is already operating in various countries globally, and is installed on various types of unmanned aircraft vehicles and light manned aircraft.

SkEye Sensor Close Look
Close Look at SkEye Sensor
Share via Whatsapp

Posted in: Aerospace & Defense , ElectroOptics , News