Turning Push Notifications into Lifesavers

In a dimly lit war room, illuminated by the glow of blue computer screens, dozens of command-and-control and intelligence officers gather, closely monitoring every movement of the force. The intelligence desk rapidly collects every bit of information from their sensors and sources, waiting for the precise moment to give the green light for the squad to engage the target.

Miles away, the soldiers assemble at an observation point, ready for orders. The unit commander holds a tablet displaying a detailed 3D image of the crowded, hostile city street. The collected intelligence travels at nanosecond speed across the airwaves, reaching the squad commander. Within seconds, a building on the right side of the interactive map turns red. The commander understands immediately – the target is ready to be attacked.

Achieving this level of coordination required years of accumulating operational, network, and integrative expertise. The result is the Torch-X™, a sophisticated command-and-control system developed by Elbit Systems.

“What we’ve developed here is essentially an entire network of automated processes that tighten fire-loop closure capabilities in a very short timeframe,” explains Yuval, the Program’s Manager at Elbit Systems’ C4I and Cyber Division. After many years of military experience as an operational user of the system, he transitioned his knowledge to the defense industry and now plays a pivotal role behind the scenes.

Boosting the Role of Intelligence Officers

This prestigious command and control system, designed for coordination between rear command centers and maneuvering ground forces, also enables seamless communication between HQs and ground units.

The system’s functionality extends to every IDF headquarters, tank, cannon, combat vehicle, and handheld computer for the dismounted commanders. With a simple press of a button, real-time updates synchronize across the integrated system, allowing end-users to access information on an interactive map. This capability enables efficient management of a multi-arena, multi-armed system with continuous dialogue across air, sea, and land operations under one digital roof.

“It’s the most advanced embodiment available today for digitizing a modern army,” adds Yuval. “Using special algorithms, we managed to link numerous complex intelligence systems with fire routing and command systems. Everything is displayed on a unified 3D screen, so everyone – from the command center chief to the last soldier in the field – knows exactly what the target is and where everyone is looking.”

Imagine your mobile device: it alerts you to weather hazards, floods, or other disasters in your area. It also sends you push notifications from the apps you’ve downloaded, helping you to better understand reality – what happened in the news today and when your next meeting is.

“We’ve brought that same feature to the soldier in the field – turning push notifications into essential intelligence updates,” Yuval explains. “However, not all information reaches every soldier, tank, or artillery endpoint in the field. The complex algorithms we developed in collaboration with military units route the information precisely to where it needs to go at different hierarchical levels. For instance, a tank in a threatened area will receive a general threat alert, but the nearby ground force will get a much more specific notification.”

So, what remains the role of intelligence officers? Are they obsolete when computerized systems can generate prioritized information in a timely manner? According to Yuval, certainly not.

“We’re not trying to replace the intelligence officers – just enhance their abilities,” he says. “We’ve made their lives much easier by removing systemic noise. They’re still responsible for forming the situational picture and making recommendations based on it. But since the system can take care of the urgent threats, they can allow themselves to focus on a more global view of the battlefield.”

“You Can’t Wage War With a Paper Map”

Less advanced armies that have yet to undergo digitization rely on physical maps made of paper and other limited tools. These tools don’t create a uniform standard among all participating forces.

“It’s already clear that a map is the main tool for armies to manage the battlefield, but you can’t wage war with a piece of paper these days,” Yuval asserts. “The unification of all the images and certainty about the focus of the action happen thanks to the interactive map.”

Moreover, forming a complex intelligence picture requires integrating data from various sensors: COMINT, ELINT, VISINT, and HUMINT all reports from different units. All of these are essential in wartime and need immediate representation on the interactive map to provide forces with the most precise indications of threats and dangers in the area.

“Today, this scenario is no longer taken from a Hollywood movie,” Yuval explains. “An intelligence officer in a rear command room identifies a confirmed target and assigns it with a click of a button to a tank in the sector. All that remains for the tank, now that its sights are locked on the target, is to load a shell and fire. This process can take just a few seconds and save the lives of many soldiers in complex combat situations.”

Undoubtedly, many armies worldwide understand the urgent need to fully digitize their military. “Security agencies and governments approach us to purchase the system,” Yuval shares. “The advantage is that it can be sold in separate parts. This means you don’t have to buy the whole package, and we at Elbit Systems know how to tailor the product to meet the customer’s exact needs.”

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