The Stalker II reconnaissance, target acquisition and observation system has shown proven operational use with the Israel Defence Force (IDF), where it is mounted on a high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle. The system is designed for battalion and brigade level reconnaissance operations and has been in use for several years. Although an official would not disclose the number of systems delivered to the IDF, he said a substantial number of systems had now been built by the company.
The system has several improvements over an earlier variant, including a higher mast and a link, via tactical radio, to a commander's command and control (C2) system. The C2 link allows commanders to view the reconnaissance picture provided by the system's Doppler radar and electro-optic sensor. Stalker II also includes a laser rangefinder. The radar is used for broad coverage, while the electro-optic sensor can be used to investigate acquired targets in day and night conditions. The link also allows the system to be used to acquire and hand over targets to individual weapons systems.
The version demonstrated to the Spanish authorities is mounted on a Spanish Uro 4 x 4 chassis. The crew station mounted on the vehicle consists of three workstations - one for the commander and one each for the radar and electro-optic sensor operators. The commander's station fuses the data available to the two sensor operators and includes a facility to override the other two.
Rafael is currently looking for export opportunities for Stalker II and officials said that the system can be delivered on a variety of chassis and with differing radar and electro-optic sensors to suit individual customers. The company said that a number of other European countries are also interested in demonstrating the system.
Stalker II mobile surveillance system has become an integral part of advanced border security installations. The system integrates a ground surveillance radar with an Optronic payload, providing continuous, day and night, all weather surveillance of sensitive area. The Rakoon is a vehicle mounted mobile detection system, in service with the IDF.
It's composed of a ground radar and multiple sensors used for observation and detection, all are on a high mast that is mounted on the carrying vehicle's roof. The radar is effective against vehicles as well as men. The height of the mast (up to 9 meters), enables the carrying vehicle to find shelter behind a boulder or a small hill while the system is deployed. Also mounted on the roof is the data processing and transferring unit.
The entire system is mounted on a Hummer HMMWV, and it was used in the security zone in southern Lebanon. Today, the system is in use along the northern border and in the occupied territories (Gaza strip and the West Bank). Its mission is to detect and help intercepting hostile penetration attempts into Israel, and the system has had its share of success in it. |
