Israel Unveils New Drone Detection Radar System at US Defense Expo
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled its new POINT@AIR tactical radar system at a defense exhibition in Washington on Sunday. The system uses an aerostat-mounted radar to detect drones and low-altitude threats from higher altitudes, enhancing early warning capabilities. It is designed for rapid deployment and continuous operation, offering forces more time to respond to incoming attacks. The development addresses the increasing challenge posed by drones to traditional defense systems.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled its new POINT@AIR drone detection radar system in Washington.
- The POINT@AIR system uses an aerostat platform for enhanced detection of low-altitude aerial threats.
- The radar combines AESA technology with 360-degree coverage for comprehensive surveillance.
- IAI stated the system can track aerial, maritime, and ground targets and prioritize them operationally.
- The system is designed for rapid deployment and continuous operation, providing early warning.
- IAI's Director General highlighted its role in expanding battlefield awareness and response time.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) revealed its new tactical radar system, POINT@AIR, at the AUSA 2026 defense exhibition in Washington on Sunday. The system is designed to enhance early detection capabilities for drones and low-altitude aerial threats.
POINT@AIR utilizes a radar mounted on an integrated aerostat platform, allowing it to ascend to higher altitudes. This elevated position expands its field of vision and helps detect targets that might be obscured by terrain and ground obstacles from traditional radars. The system combines Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology with 360-degree coverage and continuous tracking from relatively high altitudes.
IAI stated that the system can detect and track a variety of aerial, maritime, and ground targets, prioritize them based on operational needs, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously. It can also be linked to command and control systems, integrating gathered information into a broader operational picture to help forces identify threats and monitor battlefield developments.
The system is designed for continuous operation and rapid deployment without reliance on fixed infrastructure. According to IAI, it provides mobile or defensively positioned forces with early warning against approaching drone attacks or other low-flying threats, granting them additional time to respond and take protective measures.
Guy Bar Lev, Director General of IAI, emphasized that understanding the battlefield is crucial for effective defense. He added that a comprehensive and continuous operational picture helps forces anticipate threats and move with greater confidence. Bar Lev affirmed that IAI continues to develop next-generation capabilities to expand battlefield awareness, offering broader vision, greater operational flexibility, and more response time against threats.
The unveiling of POINT@AIR comes amid growing global interest in developing detection methods for drones and low-altitude threats, which pose significant challenges to conventional surveillance and air defense systems.
