Israel has launched a new early-warning aerostat, reported as being one of the largest of its
kind in the world.
Dubbed 'Sky Dew,' the High Availability Aerostat System (HAAS) resembles a giant blimp or zeppelin,
and is equipped with an advanced missile and aircraft detection system.
Developed by Israeli industry with U.S. assistance, the HAAS, is expected to provide advance warning
of low-flying threats, such as cruise missiles, weaponized drones, and other aerial threats.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes how Israel plans to detect incoming threats using
the Sky Dew system? Let's get into the details.
Sky Dew is capable of reaching a high altitude from where it can spot incoming long-range
missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
The system has been in development for several years.
Israeli Air Force (IAF), which will be responsible for operating HAAS, has indicated that the
system is stationed at an unnamed location in northern Israel.
The IAF stated that the HAAS was developed by the Elta division of Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) in cooperation with the IAF, the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), and the
U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The balloon was produced by the American TCOM company
which has expertise in this field.
While general idea behind the system has been divulged , technical details have been keep
under wraps.
The technology of cruise missiles and drones has proliferated.
Israel is at the crosshair of Iran which has made significant progress in this field.
Also, Israel’s most immediate adversaries - the non-state actors like Hamas and Hezbollah
have made considerable strides.
U.S. Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie, head of CENTCOM, had raised red flags regarding
this problem.
McKenzie told members of Congress at a hearing in April,
“These small- and medium-sized UAS [unmanned aircraft systems] proliferating across the
[area of operations] present a new and complex threat to our forces and those of our partners
and allies. For the first time since the Korean War, we are operating without complete air
superiority.”
Israel has a multi-layered air defense system designed to tackle a variety of different
threats.
This includes Iron Dome designed to knock down unguided rockets, mortars, artillery,
David’s Sling and the U.S built Patriot to counter threats like aircraft and cruise
missiles, Arrow-2 to counter short- to medium-range ballistic missiles, and Arrow-3 to take out
medium- and intermediate-range weapons. Arrow 4 is being developed to neutralize ICBMs
and advance threats including hypersonic weapons.
Sky Dew will be integrated into this multi-layered air defense architecture.
Sky Dew is meant to complement and improve existing capabilities.
Threat detection and tracking is the key to interception and this is where Sky Dew will
be very handy.
A system like Sky Dew has several advantages
1. Long-range Ground-based radars are constrained due to the curvature of the earth. But a system
like Sky Dew can have a far longer line-of-sight to the horizon and hence much greater range.
2. Unlike Airborne Warning And Control System or AWACS aircraft, Sky Dew will be able to
remain on station for many days at a time. 3. Since the system will be at an elevated
position it will be able to avoid ground clutter and topography. This will be mean the resolution
will be of higher quality. This is especially important when trying to detect low-flying
cruise missiles and drones.
It is to be noted that smaller sensor-equipped aerostats are used by militaries around the
world, they generally provide localized surveillance. Sky Dew takes it to a whole new level.
As per some reports, the tech inside Sky Dew is one of the most advanced in the world
and would be able to track even maneuvering hypersonic cruise missiles.
Sky Dew is a great example of US & Israeli cooperation.
Moshe Patel, director of the IMDO stated, “In several flight test campaigns conducted
in recent months, we have demonstrated the outstanding capabilities of Israel’s multi-tier
missile defense — including against cruise missiles. The IMDO and MDA, together with
the IAF and defense industries are constantly improving Israel’s threat-detection capabilities.”
MDA director, Vice Admiral Jon Hill said in a statement, 'The Elevated Sensor is another
great example of cooperation between the Missile Defense Agency, IMDO and industry partners.
The co-developed technology and research is a benefit to both nations. Additionally, this
system will further enhance Israel's advanced threat detection capabilities to maintain
Israel's qualitative military edge.'
Boaz Levy, CEO of the Israel Aerospace Industries, said,
“The elevated sensor system provides a significant technological and operational advantage for
early and precise threat detection,”
IAF Commander, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin said in a statement: "The ES [elevated sensors]
system will be a significant component in strengthening our capabilities to defend the
country's borders against a variety of threats and will enable us to build a more accurate
and broader air surveillance picture."
Sky Dew's persistent, high-quality, and multi-directional surveillance will significantly boost Israel's
ability to counter threats.