Israel MOD Secures Contracts with Elbit Systems for ISR Drones and Autonomous Systems

The Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) of the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on December 3, 2024, a significant technological development for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Contracts totaling approximately $40 million have been signed with Elbit Systems, a leading provider of autonomous systems. These agreements aim to equip the IDF with advanced drones and autonomous systems to significantly enhance its operational capabilities in the field.

These systems, developed jointly by the DDR&D, the IDF Ground Forces, and Elbit Systems, are designed to maintain Israel’s technological edge on the battlefield. With a focus on a wide range of missions, they prioritize precise intelligence collection and targeted strikes.

The systems to be delivered under these contracts include drones for intelligence gathering, capable of operating within Seek & Strike swarms and intelligence platoons. Combat forces will also benefit from drones equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, terrain dominance features, and attack functionalities. Additionally, strike solutions based on mini-drones are specifically designed for urban operations. Elbit Systems will also provide resilient communication solutions essential for unmanned systems operating in complex environments.

Although specific models have not been disclosed, Elbit Systems offers several platforms that align with the described capabilities.

The HuntAIR-X provides an integrated solution for managing swarms of autonomous drones equipped with advanced payloads. It is optimized for terrain domination, target detection, and threat mapping, with real-time capabilities in both day and night operations, even in GNSS-denied environments.

The THOR, a fully autonomous vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) mini-UAS, is designed for various military applications. Compact and transportable, it can be deployed within two minutes, carrying payloads of up to 10 kilograms. Its adaptability makes it suitable for urban and maritime operations, with a flight endurance of up to 75 minutes.

The Lanius, another innovation, is an autonomous drone designed for swarming, mapping areas or buildings, and neutralizing detected threats. Tailored for urban combat scenarios, it can operate independently or in coordination with other drones via the Legion-X swarm management system.

The Legion-X system is a networked combat solution integrating various robotic platforms and heterogeneous swarms. It enhances planning, operation, and management across unmanned systems, increasing efficiency in multi-domain warfare.

This renewed collaboration between the Ministry of Defense and Elbit Systems strengthens the autonomous combat capabilities of the IDF. The Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, highlighted the strategic continuity of this partnership. Brigadier General Yehuda Almakias, head of the R&D Department at DDR&D, stated that these acquisitions are part of a broader military modernization strategy driven by ongoing conflict. They aim to ensure that troops are equipped with the necessary tools to perform their missions effectively. He emphasized the importance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in enabling scalable, precise intelligence collection and strikes.

Haim Delmar, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the C4i and Cyber Division at Elbit Systems, welcomed these contracts as a testament to the company’s innovative capabilities in robotics and autonomous systems (RAS). He reaffirmed Elbit Systems’ commitment to developing and delivering reliable, efficient solutions tailored to the evolving operational needs of armed forces.