Paris Air Show 2023: Elbit Systems Unveils An Advanced RF Decoy Named Nano SPEAR
Elbit Systems has unveiled an expendable radio frequency (RF) decoy called Nano SPEAR at the Paris Air Show 2023 (June 19-25) at Le Bourget Airport, designed as a countermeasure against radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles that threaten aircraft crews and platforms. The unveiling of the new system was attended by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, Director General of the Ministry of Defense Major General (Ret.) Eyal Zamir, and SIBAT BG President (Res.) Yair Kulas.
Nano SPEAR is the newest member of Elbit’s Self Protection Electronic Attack and Reconnaissance (SPEAR) product family, which also includes Micro SPEAR, Light SPEAR, and Advanced SPEAR. Micro SPEAR is a radio frequency decoy system developed for small aerial, ground, and naval manned/unmanned platforms, Light SPEAR for medium-sized aircraft, and Advanced SPEAR for C-390 transport aircraft. The SPEAR product line is based on advanced hardware, including modular Digital Receiver Exciters which provide ease of scalability.
According to Elbit Systems, Nano SPEAR is a single-use RF decoy that uses the aircraft’s existing dispensing system and once launched, acts autonomously to repel enemy radar-guided missiles. Launched via a standard Countermeasure Dispensing System (CMDS), the decoy weighs less than 800 grams and is equipped with an advanced digital receiver using DRFM (Digital Radio Frequency Memory) technology and an advanced electronic warfare (EW) technique generator. This RF decoy, which works in tandem with the aircraft’s existing EW System or independently in the absence of an EW System, enhances the platform’s self-defenses and aircrew survivability in order to achieve mission success.
Oren Sabag, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW said, “We are proud to enable our customers high-end protection capabilities to increase their platform survivability and aircrew safety. We will continue to invest significant R&D efforts to supply the most advanced, cutting edge and cost-effective solutions guaranteeing comprehensive protection and mission success.”
Nimrod Ben Meir, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Elbit Systems, told ESD at the Paris Air Show 2023 that the development of the Nano SPEAR decoy is nearly complete. Ben Meir stated that the system will go into mass production in early 2024 and that the company is currently in talks with several customers.