As the Defense Ministry moves forward with plans to erect a barrier along the border with Egypt, Elbit Systems unveiled on Sunday a miniature wireless sensor that is buried underground and can detect human and vehicular movement.
Called SAND – Smart All- Terrain Networked Detectors – the small and light sensor has a life of five years and is capable of remotely monitoring wide open areas.
Using seismic and acoustic sensors, the system detects and tracks the movement of people – either crawling or walking – as well as vehicle movements. Its unique algorithms filter out animal movements.
“This enables a user to control perimeters covertly and over time,” explained Arik Largman, the SAND project manager.
Each sensor can detect movement within several dozen meters and together transmit their findings to a rear command center. The system is currently under evaluation by the IDF and Elbit has also encountered interest in Europe.
Hermetically sealed in high-pressure metal casing, the sensors are protected from environmental damage including moisture, corrosion and other disturbances.
Once in place, the sensors can remain in position for over five years.
Last week, the Defense Ministry presented its timeline for the construction of the barrier along the Egyptian border to the cabinet and is in the coming months scheduled to issue a tender to companies.
On Sunday, Elbit put its land systems on display at its headquarters in Netanya including the latest C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) technology which the IDF recently integrated into its ground forces.
One system which was unveiled for the first time on Sunday was the mini viper, a small light-weight robot that can be used to inspect buildings before troops enter.
The robot weighs 3.5 kilograms and carries a blackand- white camera in front and in its rear a camera with infrared sensitivity.
The IDF also recently decided to purchase tactical satellite communications systems that can provide commanders with the ability to hold video-conference calls and watch live feed from unmanned aerial vehicles while on the move.
Called Elsat 2000, the system is manufactured by Elbit Systems Land and C4I – Tadiran.
The IDF plans to install the system on vehicles for company commanders and above, including the Achzarit armored personnel carrier, the new Namer armored personnel carrier which is based on the Merkava tank as well as other lightly-armored vehicles.
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