Back to news

October 4, 2018 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR

Israel Plans Anti-Missile Nano Satellite Constellation

By

TEL AVIV: Israel is planning constellations of nano satellites, built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), that will allow almost continuous coverage of “areas of interest,” which are likely to include Iran, Syria, Lebanon and other countries, according to experts that are not connected in any way to the program. IAI refused to comment.

The first nano satellite was developed by IAI and was launched into space in 2017 as part of a scientific experiment. The 5-kilogram satellite — approximately the size of a milk carton — is equipped with special cameras able to identify various climatic phenomena, and a monitoring system that allows the choice of areas to be imaged and researched.

”We are developing the capability to launch a constellation of Nano satellites. The large number of satellites will give us the capability for a much higher rate of revisits, and actually a continuous monitoring of areas of interest.” says Opher Doron, general manager of IAI's Space Division.

The nano satellites optical payloads are smaller and the quality of their optical payloads is lower. ”But by using a temporal resolution method this problem is dealt with in a very effective way,” Doron claims. “This method is not directly related to the quality of the sensor but is based on the frequency of revisits over a site.“

The other problem with smaller satellites is color. “Resolution is, of course, very important but we also work on improving the color quality of the images, Doron said. “A good intelligence expert does not need color to extract, the needed intelligence from a satellite image, but when it comes to decision-makers, color is of great importance.”

What underpins all this? It takes a ballistic missile 12 to 15 minutes to travel from Iran to Israel. The earlier a launch is detected and the earlier the trajectory of the missile can be plotted, the better the chances to intercept it far from its designated target.

Today, low orbit Ofeq spy satellites visit “areas of interest” in wide intervals so their optical or radar payloads cannot keep a persistent watch. When it comes to the ballistic missile threat, this is a major problem. Israeli sources say that some 30 minutes are needed from the command to prepare a ballistic missile for launch until it is ready for launch, and this if the protection silos are well equipped. If the enemy is aware of the “visiting” time of the spy satellites over his territory this can be the perfect time to avoid detection of the preparations until the launch itself.

Once launch occurs, Israel is supposed to get warnings from Lockheed Martin's Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS),the US constellation of geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellites. The U.S also deploys an X-band radar system in southern Israel to improve detection of ballistic missiles. This complements the layer supplied by the Green Pine radar, part of the Israeli Arrow missile interceptors.

The first nano satellite was launched from India on the PSLV-C37 launcher with 103 other nano satellites. The plan to build and launch nano satellites first emerged a decade ago. A joint company of IAI and Rafael would undertake the mission. But that plan was deserted.

Yizhak Ben Israel, chairman of the Israeli space agency, served in the Israeli air force and later was in charge of developing Israel's most advanced and classified military systems at the development directorate in the Defense Ministry. He notes that, although nanosats possess much less exquisite capabilities than SBIRS or other large satellites, “when you use a constellation of such satellites the combined capability can be very effective in missions like locating missile launchers.” The other advantage of nano satellites is their price: “You go from hundreds of million of dollars for a full size imaging satellite to some millions of dollars when it comes to a nano satellite.”

Not directly related to the nano satellite program but part of Israel's space effort, IAI teamed with British start-up company Effective Space to make a fleet of special satellites weighing roughly 880 pounds that can refuel other satellites in space. IAI signed an agreement for technological and financial cooperation with the smaller company. While Effective Space is headquartered in London, its CEO, Arie Halsband, was general manager of IAI's space division before starting his own company.

https://breakingdefense.com/2018/10/israel-plans-anti-missile-nano-satellite-constellation

On the same subject

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - June 29, 2020

    June 30, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - June 29, 2020

    NAVY Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $936,032,309 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-2307 to exercise the fiscal 2020 option for the construction of a USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 class ship (DDG 135). This modification also includes options for engineering change proposals, design budgeting requirements and post-delivery availabilities on the fiscal 2020 option ship. If exercised, the cumulative value of the fiscal 2020 option ship will increase to $947,695,871. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (91%); Erie, Pennsylvania (1%); and other locations below 1% (collectively totaling 8%), and is expected to be completed by June 2027. Fiscal 2019 and 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $926,032,309 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $360,800,000 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract modification (P00038) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract N00019-17-C-0001. This modification provides for the procurement of four F-35C Carrier Variant Lot 14 aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (63%); El Segundo, California (14%); Warton, United Kingdom (9%); Orlando, Florida (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); Baltimore, Maryland (3%); San Diego, California (2%); various locations within the continental U.S. (1.3%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (0.7%). Work is expected to be completed by May 2023. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $170,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $67,690,000 not-to-exceed modification (P00004) to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target advance acquisition contract N00019-20-C-0009. This modification procures long lead materials, parts, components and support necessary to maintain on-time production and delivery of nine lot 16 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the government of The Netherlands, as well as seven F-35A semiconductors and two F-35B Lightning II aircraft for the government of Italy. Work will be performed in Cameri, Italy (24%); Fort Worth, Texas (22%); El Segundo, California (11%); Warton, United Kingdom (7%); Baltimore, Maryland (4%); Nashua, New Hampshire (3%); San Diego, California (2%); various locations within the continental U.S. (21%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (6%). Work is expected to be completed by May 2025. Non-Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $67,690,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Applied Systems Engineering, Niceville, Florida, is awarded a $48,640,357 indefinite- delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price delivery orders contract with a five-year ordering period to provide Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Advanced Tactical Navigator (ATACNAV) units, SAASM ATACNAV-High Accuracy (HA) units, SAASM ATACNAV-HA-Single Enclosure. ATACNAV mini purchases, ATACNAV units, reconfigurable avionics test sets and global positioning system military code receivers. In addition to procurement of ATACNAV units, system upgrades and repairs from Applied Systems Engineering will be required throughout the life of the contract. The program is in support of the Weapons Control and Integration Department (H) of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division and Battle Management Systems Program. This contract does not include options. Work will be performed in Niceville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2018 procurement defense agencies funding in the amount of $692,493 will be obligated on the first delivery order at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured sole-source in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304c1, with one responsible source. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00178-20-D-4400). IAP World Services Inc., Cape Canaveral, Florida, is awarded a $13,586,127 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract for the exercise of an option for base operating support services at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $119,645,912. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland. The work to be performed provides for recurring and non-recurring facility maintenance; facility investment; integrated solid waste management; swimming pool; wastewater; water; and environmental management. Work is expected to be completed by December 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,586,127 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This award is issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 6.302-2, “Unusually and Compelling Urgency.” The purpose of this modification is to ensure critical services continue as the agency responds to a post-award protest on the re-procurement of this contract. A total funding amount of $8,808,011 will be obligated at the time of award. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-14-D-0302). Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $11,610,581 firm-fixed-price order (N00019-20-F-0022) against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-19-G-0008. This order procures intel diminishing manufacturing sources parts that have reached end of life in support of the F-35 Lightning II Program future aircraft deliveries for the Air Force, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by October 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $2,356,880; fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,056,717; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $1,619,315; fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $631,782; non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $3,982,886; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $963,001, will be obligated at time of award, $4,413,597 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Virginia, is awarded a $9,528,561 modification (P00028) to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-17-C-0009. This modification provides for the installation of the multi-role tactical common data link into two E-6B Mercury aircraft. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (56%); and Lake Charles, Louisiana (44%), and is expected to be completed by October 2021. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds for $9,528,561 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AREPII SA Hotel LLC, doing business as Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, is awarded an $8,139,274 firm-fixed-price, three-month contract for lodging, meal and laundry services. This contract includes one three-month option period which, if exercised, will bring the cumulative value of this contract to $15,970,741. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia. Work is expected to be completed October 2020. If all options are exercised, work will continue through January 2021. Fiscal 2020 military personnel (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $8,139,274 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website and 23 proposals were received. The Regional Contracting Office, Parris Island, South Carolina, is the contracting activity for (M00263-20-C-0001). ARMY Sharp Minds LLC,* Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded a $473,021,064 hybrid (firm-fixed-price and time-and-materials) contract to provide Letterkenny Army Depot with labor support. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2020 Army working capital funds in the amount of $26,577,042 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W911N2-20-F-0494). Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $25,408,756 modification (P00353) to contract W31P4Q-04-C-0046 for support services for the Javelin weapon system. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2025. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales (United Kingdom) funds in the amount of $25,408,756 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Taunton, Massachusetts, was awarded a $19,298,469 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure engineering and testing contractor support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Taunton, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2021. Fiscal 2018 and 2020 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $19,298,469 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W15P7T-20-F-0159). Welch Construction Inc.,* Marcellus, New York, was awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for repair and construction of real property facilities at Watervliet Arsenal, New York. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 21, 2025. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-20-D-0005). Skookum Educational Programs, Bremerton, Washington, was awarded a $9,971,669 firm-fixed-price contract for inspection, testing and maintenance work; demand maintenance order work; and preventative maintenance order work and sustainment, restoration and modernization services in support of Fort Riley. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at Fort Riley, Kansas, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2021. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W912DY-20-C-0026). Techwerks LLC,* Arlington Heights, Illinois, was awarded an $8,685,042 modification (P00024) to contract W911QY-17-C-0101 for labor, other direct costs and travel in support of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Work will be performed in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of July 1, 2021. Fiscal 2020 research, development, test and evaluation (Army) funds in the amount of $178,340 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Ross Island Sand & Gravel Co., Portland, Oregon, was awarded an $8,362,290 firm-fixed-price contract for annual maintenance dredging of the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Stockton, California, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 civil operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,362,290 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco, California, is the contracting activity (W912P7-20-C-0009). AIR FORCE Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Georgia, has been awarded a $22,562,480 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00008) to contract FA8523-18-C-0002 for reactivation of the Band 8 transmitter associated with the AN/ALQ-161A defensive avionics system supporting the B-1B aircraft. The contract modification is for the delivery of a Band 8 reactivation fleet-wide implementation plan. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed June 29, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The Electronic Warfare Contracting Branch, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Spartan Air Academy Iraq LLC, Irving, Texas, has been awarded a $14,769,952 firm-fixed-price modification (P00006) to contract FA8617-20-C-6232 for the Iraq T-6A contractor logistics support and training maintenance program. The modification provides for the exercise of an option to extend the term of the contract for the continued services needed in order to effectively maintain and operate a fleet of 15 T-6A training aircraft. Work will be performed at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2020. This modification involves 100% Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Iraq. FMS funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Corp., Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been awarded a $7,038,279 firmed-fixed-price contract with some cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-reimbursable contract line item numbers for follow-on support sustainment of the Republic of Korea Peace Krypton Program. This contract provides for support of the field service representatives, program management, core/field engineering, System Depot Support Facility sustainment, technical manuals sustainment and obsolescence management. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Seoul, Republic of Korea, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2020. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Republic of Korea and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8620‐20-C-3099). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Jamaica Bearings,* New Hyde Park, New York, has been awarded a maximum $18,230,335 firm-fixed-price contract for wire ring race kits. This is an 18-month contract with a one-year option period. This was a competitive acquisition with one offer received. Locations of performance are South Carolina and New York, with a Dec. 17, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-20-C-0034). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND CORRECTION: The contract announced on June 26, 2020, to Arcticom LLC, Anchorage, Alaska (H92240-20-C-0004), for $18,772,155, was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is June 29, 2020. *Small Business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2241727/source/GovDelivery/

  • After 64 days, the Army’s drone that wouldn’t die has died [Updated]

    August 23, 2022 | International, Aerospace

    After 64 days, the Army’s drone that wouldn’t die has died [Updated]

    A eulogy to the solar-powered Airbus Zephyr S drone that surpassed expectations and broke records while flying over several states.

  • Metallic 3D Printing May Revolutionize Maintenance for F-22 Raptor

    January 22, 2019 | International, Aerospace

    Metallic 3D Printing May Revolutionize Maintenance for F-22 Raptor

    Stars and Stripes | By Jennifer Svan The world's most expensive fighter jet soon may be flying with parts made from a 3D printer. Maintainers at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, last month installed for the first time a metallic 3D-printed bracket on an operational F-22 Raptor, according to the Air Force and Lockheed Martin, the company that produces the $150 million aircraft. If the titanium piece holds up, the part will be installed on all F-22 aircraft during maintenance, and the use of 3D parts in the aircraft could be expanded, with the eventual goal of reducing depot time for the maintenance-prone jets, officials said. Full article: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/01/19/metallic-3d-printing-may-revolutionize-maintenance-f-22-raptor.html

All news