U.S. Air Force fights ISIS with Israeli Drone Guard system

  • 7 years ago
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has spent more than $15 million on Israeli-made anti-drone equipment that can counter the small drones used by ISIS as weapons.

The U.S. Department of Defense issued a press release on Feb. 21 that details a $15.6 million contract for “counter-unmanned aerial systems” awarded to ELTA North America Inc, a U.S. subsidiary of Israeli Aerospace Industries.

The contract states the company will deliver “21 Man Portable Aerial Defense System kits” by July 28.

According to Defense One, the system purchased by the Air Force could be the Drone Guard system developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries.

The Drone Guard system is equipped with drone detection and tracking algorithms and 3D radars that can detect airborne targets from a range of 10km to 20km. Once the system detects a hostile drone, it emits jamming signals that can send the drone back to its point-of origin or shut it down to make a crash landing.

Israel Aerospace Industries said last year that it had sold the Drone Guard system to several customers but did not disclose the details of the buyers.

ISIS is reportedly using drones to carry out surveillance and attacks in Iraq and Syria.

Recommended