In This Battle, Data Wins

Warfare has always been defined by adaptation – cavalry moved forward to mechanized maneuvering; radio evolved into satellite-guided precision strikes. Each era has reshaped the battlefield in its own way. 
But today, warfare isn't just evolving – it's being rewritten. Success is no longer dictated solely by firepower but also by data, speed, and connectivity.
Few understand this shift better than Ohad, Senior Director and Head of the Digital Warfare Directorate at Elbit Systems' C4I and Cyber Division. "Network warfare is about integration," he explains. "The ability to seamlessly link all the battlefield players systems across the battlespace is what makes this transformation so powerful."
 

Digital Warfare as a Force Multiplier

The shift to digital warfare is critical in today's complex battlespaces. Modern conflicts unfold in urban environments, where limited visibility, electronic jamming, and shifting frontlines create constant uncertainty. In these conditions, digitization becomes a force multiplier – delivering real-time intelligence, enabling rapid decision-making, and allowing forces to adapt on the move.
A key player in this transformation is Elbit Systems' Torch-X™ family of C4ISR systems – a modular battle management framework that integrates manned and unmanned operations.
"We're making the battlefield smarter, more connected, and more responsive to modern combat," says Ohad. "Torch-X is built for flexibility – it adapts to the needs of a variety of military forces, from command centers, where all intelligence is centered, and big decisions are being taken to ground forces that are the boots on the ground and to all the fire support as Airforce & artillery units." 
 

Command & Control

Another good experience is the use of the Advanced Command Vehicle, like Ofek and the Namer. The connection between the front fiber brigade HQ to the front command group has become more efficient and effective. The fiber HQ has become a factory of planning, fire, and intelligence assessment. the front command group, being in front with the forces, can connect the information from the HQ to what they see and know that is happening in the front and then help make the right decisions. 

Digitizing Fire

One of the most meaningful advancements in network warfare is fire digitization. Traditional, manual fire coordination is being replaced by a sensor-to-shooter digital loop, linking surveillance assets, artillery, and command centers.
"If a UAV identifies a target, it can instantly relay the data to artillery units through a digital fire process – enabling rapid, precise engagement," Ohad explains. "The goal is simple: turn intelligence into action in real time.
The digital transformation and the ability to visualize all information (both red and blue) have led to a new organizational structure. This structure, characterized by smart fire cells, is more effective in terms of timing and location, supporting units and leading independent fire efforts."
 

From Firepower to Data Power

Tanks and advanced platforms such as the Namer armored vehicle, once isolated battlefield assets, have evolved into highly connected combat platforms. "A modern tank is no longer just a gun on tracks," Ohad explains. "It's a sensor, a data node, and a fully integrated part of the digital battlespace."
As Chief Officer of the IDF Armored Corps, Ohad played a pivotal role in making these advanced tank technologies operational.
The Torch-X™ suite plays a central role in this transformation, integrating with any C4I system through an open architecture model. Its capabilities include advanced sensor fusion and active protection systems, enhancing both survivability and effectiveness.
"In the 1990s, tanks operated in isolated battlefield segments," Ohad recalls. "Today, they shape – and are shaped by – forces across the entire combat theater."
 

When Drones Become the Target

With drone warfare rapidly evolving, Elbit Systems is already designing next-generation countermeasures. "The drone threat mirrors what we saw with anti-tank missiles in the past – it's a constant race between offense and defense," Ohad explains.

"Elbit's advantage is its ability to embed counter-drone capabilities directly into its broader C4ISR architecture," Ohad explains. "Drones must function as both sensors and strike platforms, fully integrated into battlefield networks."

The Torch-X™ system is already proving its effectiveness, integrating real-time drone feeds into battle management networks." Everyone wants real-time battlefield intelligence," Ohad says. "Network warfare is about ensuring every soldier and commander sees the full picture and makes faster, more informed decisions."

Not Just Technology

Few militaries worldwide have as much real-world experience in digital warfare as Israel. "The IDF is like a live laboratory for networked combat," Ohad explains. "Other countries are only now starting to explore what we've been refining through real operations for years."
"The biggest challenge isn't just technology," Ohad says. "It's ensuring these systems are intuitive, easy to use, and seamlessly integrated into military operations. That's where true innovation happens."