Welcome to Elbit’s Innovation Hub

On a typical morning in mid-May 2025, the atmosphere at Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW felt different.
This wasn’t just another quiet day of development behind screens – it was a rare opportunity to peek inside the heart of one of Israel’s leading defense companies. The event, titled “Introducing Our Story,” was designed to do just that: bring the people, the ideas, and the mission to the forefront and to showcase the "Power behind the process".
There was a quiet sense of pride in the air – rooted in daily work, but now momentarily brought into the spotlight. After wandering between booths, we met A., Elbit’s VP for Research, Development and Engineering at ISTAR&EW-Elop. “Elbit is a highly multidisciplinary company. We do almost everything in-house – everything except microwaves,” he said with a smile.

Elbit operates as a kind of internal development hub, concentrating all stages of development under one roof – from the initial concept, through engineering and design, to implementation and operational integration. Each project is led by a multidisciplinary team, with the systems engineer playing a central role from concept to delivery.

N., VP of Development and Engineering in Elbit’s ISTAR & EW-Elisra, elaborated: “The Development and Engineering Division serves all projects and business lines. After the product is defined by the systems engineers, we break down the work and assign it across departments.”
According to N., this internal collaboration is what helps to make seamless development possible: “The integration of system engineers, mathematicians, and hardware developers is what ensures that development transitions methodically into production.”

Speaking with employees, a clear methodology emerged: identifying problems before they arise and planning solutions in advance. It may sound theoretical, but at Elbit, it’s practiced systematically. Sometimes inspiration comes from an academic paper, sometimes from field observations, and sometimes from quietly anticipating operational needs.
“That systematic approach also translates into results,” N. added. “Over the past year, we were involved in three projects that received the Israel Defense Prize. It’s both recognition and appreciation for the company's standout contributions to national defense.”
“I truly enjoy managing technological development – especially the challenge of meeting performance targets,” he continued. “It demands deep knowledge, experience, and creativity.”

Where Might the Next Breakthrough Come From?

The numerous booths scattered throughout the event showcased projects across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains – but also reflected the company’s internal culture. It was impossible to tell where the next breakthrough might emerge. Many of the most important innovations had originated in the field, not at the drawing board.
N., Chief Technology Officer for the development division, explained the internal mechanism that allows any employee to propose a technological idea. “Once it’s filtered, a close mentoring process begins – with real personal commitment. The employee who proposed it remains involved all the way through,” he said. According to him, roughly 50% of the ideas submitted eventually move forward – sometimes as part of an existing program, and sometimes as entirely new initiatives.

One of the most prominent systems on display was the High-Power Laser solution – which has drawn wide public attention in recent months. Based on directed energy, with innovative stabilization capabilities developed by Elbit, it’s designed to intercept multiple threats using a high-precision laser beam that operates instantly, at a fraction of the cost of traditional interceptors. This breakthrough in defense is expected to become an important layer of Israel’s multi-tiered protection strategy.
The company exhibited with pride its revolutionary solution in aircraft safety – a live demonstration of the PAWS-2 (HR) – a next-gen high-resolution missile warning system (MWS) for fighter aircraft.
The PAWS-2 (HR) is a field-proven infrared passive airborne warning system capable of detecting a wide range of threats, including surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), air-to-air missiles, and MANPADS – regardless of seeker type. It provides advanced protection for fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters operating in complex and high-threat environments.

 “It’s Like Watching a Baby Take Its First Steps”

The event also highlighted Elbit’s role in civil aviation. For example, the “C-MUSIC” system – part of the MUSIC™ Family, the only system licensed for civil aviation, designed to protect civilian aircraft from shoulder-fired missiles (MANPADS), combines infrared Missile Warning Sensors with AI-based algorithms to detect launches in real time and trigger automatic countermeasures – all in a matter of seconds. Beyond the impressive technology, the system saves lives and enables routine flight operations even in high-risk areas. It’s no surprise that it has garnered attention from global aviation authorities.
S., Head of Imaging Systems Engineering, stood next to one of the prototypes and explained the excitement that comes with seeing a project reach the production phase. “It’s really like watching a baby take its first steps,” she said. Her team is responsible for developing electro-optical sensors for targeting, surveillance, and intelligence systems.

N. shared a broader perspective: “Over my career, I’ve helped develop five generations of naval systems for the Israeli Navy. It’s deeply rewarding to see how far the IDF has advanced.”
“It’s just as satisfying to see systems developed in Israel gaining recognition – and orders – on the international stage,” he added.
Space also had its place at the event. Elbit has been active in space technology for over three decades, and in a dedicated area, it showcased its Jupiter satellite cameras, as well as the ULTRASAT telescope – being developed in partnership with the Weizmann Institute. These projects reflect the company’s broad technological span and innovative high resolution intelligence capabilities – from tactical threat detection to astronomical observation systems.

The October 7 Effect

Alongside the technology displays, a heavy cloud hung in the background – the unshakable reality of Israel’s security environment. The October 7th attack and its aftermath still reverberate among Elbit’s engineering and development teams.
A. shared: “Even before the ground maneuver began, we were already working day and night to deliver capabilities.”
N. described how rapidly priorities shifted: “After October 7, we moved into emergency mode. Projects that were still in the planning phase became urgent needs and were completed in a fraction of the original timeline – sometimes three times faster.”

“We developed capabilities that didn’t exist before,” he added. “
Despite the intensity, morale remains high. “Despite the compartmentalization, employees feel a tremendous sense of purpose,” said N. “Even after sleepless nights or months of nonstop work, they know their efforts made a real difference.”

What began as a showcase of technology gradually turned into a reflection on the human side of innovation. Conversations in hallways, between booths, and with engineers revealed a shared spirit: not just to build advanced systems, but to create a safer reality.
The event was also an opportunity for internal reflection – for employees, managers, and development leaders to pause and consider the journey behind them, the organizational culture that has evolved, and the collective sense of responsibility that drives them. Behind every system, algorithm, or prototype are people – driven by curiosity, initiative, and the desire to imagine a different future, then build it.

A Race Against Time

Amid discussions of innovation and the need to maintain an operational edge, one insight stood out: the real race is against time. At Elbit, the ability to respond quickly, deliver field-ready solutions, and adapt to changing combat environments is seen as a core element of deterrence. That’s how engineers, developers, and behind-the-scenes teams become early players in the operational arena – not just in implementation, but in thinking, planning, and initiative.