“Mastering The Aerial Battlefield Would Be as Simple as Playing on Your Phone”

In today’s ever-evolving military landscape, gaining absolute control of the aerial battlefield has become absolutely crucial. The past few decades have witnessed the emergence of various formidable participants armed with cutting-edge technologies, ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ballistic missiles to state-of-the-art jet fighters. These advancements have transformed the airspace into a dynamic and highly challenging domain, requiring utmost focus and strategic expertise.

The rapid evolution and diverse range of aerial striking capabilities have highlighted the crucial importance of a strong and dependable command and control (COC) system. Elbit System’s SkyTouch™ was specifically developed to meet these requirements, providing flight controllers with the tools to enhance navigation and maintain a comprehensive strategic understanding of each vehicle’s technological strengths. With SkyTouch, achieving all of this is as easy as a simple finger swipe.

Creating a Unified System

Creating a unified COC system that incorporates all the essential features for aerial controllers, including pilots, is a formidable challenge. Yotam, Senior Director of the Aerial Combat Cloud sector in Elbit’s Aerospace division, sheds light on this, explaining, “Until recently, each part of the COC cycle operated independently as a separate system.”

With over three decades of experience as an executive flight controller in the Israeli Air Force, Yotam and his team utilized their vast expertise to bring SkyTouch to life. Building upon their in-depth knowledge of various COC systems, they developed a solution that flawlessly integrates all aspects of the aerial battlefield control pipeline. This innovative system delivers real-time and relevant information to both the controller and the pilot, ensuring critical updates are accessible at every stage of the operation.

An Intuitive User Experience

While the integration of different components presented a significant challenge, designing SkyTouch’s user experience and interface proved to be an even more ambitious undertaking. Yotam explains, stating, “Our goal was to make flight control simple and intuitive.” Additionally, the team set out to incorporate AI models into SkyTouch’s programming to deliver real-time operational insights.

To accomplish this, the design team of SkyTouch implemented touch-screen-based panels, utilizing familiar swipe motions similar to everyday interactions with mobile phones. Yotam envisions the future of aerial COC systems as resembling playing a strategy game on a smartphone screen.

With just a few simple hand gestures and drags across the panels, controllers can orchestrate UAV strikes, deploy ground troops to strategic positions, and launch anti-aircraft missiles against suspicious aerial intruders. All the while, they receive live video feeds from the ongoing events.

In conclusion, Yotam remarks, “It simplifies the process of managing ongoing, complex national security events.”

Flexibility VS. Operational Use

While the aspiration to create a system with boundless capabilities is commendable, the team recognized that excessive flexibility could hinder operational use. Striking the right balance was paramount to prevent overwhelming users and compromising the system’s effectiveness.

The team at Elbit Systems is dedicated to continuously enhancing SkyTouch, actively seeking customer feedback, and visiting operational sites to ensure the system’s features are fully utilized and optimized.

SkyTouch has already been deployed for operational use in several countries worldwide, and its reputation continues to soar. With an unwavering commitment to enhancing capabilities and refining the user experience, Elbit Systems is poised to revolutionize aerial battlefield control.

The company aims to provide military forces with an advanced tool that streamlines decision-making processes and maximizes the full potential of every aerial asset.

As the adoption of SkyTouch continues to expand, Elbit Systems remains steadfast in their commitment to ongoing development and optimization. By actively incorporating customer feedback, their team strives to address any limitations and push the boundaries of aerial battlefield control even further.

The future is brimming with exciting possibilities as SkyTouch continues to evolve. Elbit Systems’ unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence ensures that they remain at the forefront of the rapidly evolving landscape of aerial warfare.

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