Sharper Targeting, Faster AI Decisions
For decades, soldiers relied on maps, radios, and manual coordination – costing them critical seconds. Trident™, Elbit Systems' integrated target acquisition suite, is aiming to change it all. Here’s how.
Survival on the modern battlefield depends as much on staying hidden as it does on firepower. Trident enables soldiers to operate remotely – over 100 meters away – while maintaining full control via a ruggedized tablet. Its passive target acquisition capabilities help to reduce the risk of detection by aiming to minimize electromagnetic emissions.
By enabling remote operation, Trident enhances survivability while keeping operators out of harm’s way. Soldiers can acquire and designate targets without exposing themselves, significantly increasing operational effectiveness.
"Before systems like Trident, forces relied on manual target acquisition – relatively slow, imprecise, and prone to human error," says Nir, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Elbit Systems' ISTAR&EW Division. "Now, troops have a digital, real-time intelligence tool that aims to deliver rapid, precise target identification while keeping them safely out of harm’s way."
From Paper Maps to AI-Powered Precision
Battlefield reconnaissance has come a long way from paper maps and manually plotted coordinates. Today’s missions require speed, accuracy, and real-time intelligence. Trident combines AION-C, Hattorix, and Rattler XR into a compact, modular system designed to deliver CAT-1 level precision in target acquisition, while also holding full designation capabilities to enhance comprehensive and precise targeting.
At its core, Trident is powered by AI-driven automation. Unlike traditional optical tools such as DVO, Trident has a dedicated visual channel, algorithms are running on both Thermal and Visual channels, ultimately leading to better results. As such, Trident leverages Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and Video Motion Detection (VMD) to scan, identify, and categorize threats in real time. From distant armored vehicles to fast-moving targets, the system rapidly processes vast amounts of data, reducing soldier workload and ensuring no critical details are overlooked.
Beyond its ability to quickly process battlefield data, Trident also integrates seamlessly with command-and-control networks, providing a synchronized operational picture which are shared both ways. The system’s remote capabilities help reconnaissance teams to pinpoint threats and share real-time intelligence with decision-makers at every level. This real-time connectivity assists to ensure that forces can act with speed and coordination, reducing response time.
"Trident is designed to bridge the gap between observation and action," explains Nir. "By fusing AI-driven target recognition with real-time data sharing, soldiers can make better-informed decisions and execute missions with greater precision."
Survival Through Smart Tech
The system’s network-centric design allows integration with BMS and ATAK platforms, ensuring that intelligence is not siloed but instead shared across all levels of command. By leveraging digital-enhanced maps and optional satellite overlays, Trident helps troops to visualize the battlespace with greater clarity, turning raw data into actionable intelligence. This capability can potentially transform how forces plan, engage, and adapt to dynamic combat scenarios.
Beyond the Crosshairs
Target acquisition isn’t just about marking locations – it’s about understanding the battlefield as a constantly shifting environment where every second counts. Trident goes further by creating a shared intelligence network, enabling forward observation teams to identify, track, and respond with coordinated precision.
Trident also simplifies what has historically been a complex and time-consuming process. Advanced technology often requires extensive training, but Trident is built for simplicity. Soldiers with minimal experience can deploy the system relatively quickly using its self-guided calibration interface. AI-driven assistance streamlines setup and reduces operator fatigue, ensuring peak performance even in prolonged missions.
"You’re no longer just an observer," Nir sums up. "You’re an important part of a real-time intelligence network. That connectivity transforms how you maneuver, react, and make split-second decisions under pressure."