The new Israeli interception system that may provide an answer to the explosive drones

The Israeli drone interception system, which can be installed on a rifle exclusive

Rubel Innovation, a company specializing in the development of security solutions and advanced technologies for the worlds of defense and HLS, is launching Black Raven – a system based on artificial intelligence and fusion of multi-sensory information, developed with the aim of responding to the threat of drones.

The new system was developed after the company’s employees, most of them reservists who had served for hundreds of days since the outbreak of the war, personally experienced the developing threat in the battlefields, and in particular the challenge of explosive drones and fiber optic drones. From the direct familiarity with the operational need in the field, the company’s personnel returned to develop an innovative, efficient and accessible technological solution that would provide an accurate response to the current generation of threats and even to the future developments of drones that may arrive in the arena.

Rovel points out that one of the main advantages of the Black Raven system is its expected cost, which will be significantly lower than the cost of similar systems currently on the market.

Black Raven is based on three main stages of action: the first, technological detection of the threat from a great distance; the second, closing a circle and precise localization using advanced sensors and systems; And the third, flanking and interception using a dedicated Black Raven weapon mount. The dedicated preparation is a universal system that is adapted to a wide range of weapons, including: assault rifles, shotguns, machine guns and other submachine guns, and enables adaptation to the changing operational needs of each force in the field.

The system makes use of artificial intelligence and multisensory information fusion technologies, while combining electro-optical systems, advanced sensors and real-time analysis capabilities. One of the most prominent features of the system is its dual functionality: the system allows manual interception by a fighter as well as full automation mode. Thus, the system can be operated completely autonomously or alternatively allow full control by a human operator depending on the operational scenario.

The Israeli missiles placed on the Turkish border

In the shadow of growing tensions between Greece and Turkey, Athens decided to place NLOS spike missiles manufactured by Rafael on the Greek islands adjacent to Turkey. The ability of the missiles to hit military means in the region, or even in Turkey itself, is a deterrent to the Turks against aggressive actions in the Aegean Sea. This is the benefit that the Greeks receive from an extensive purchase they made in April 2023 for their land, sea and air forces, in an amount estimated at approximately 292-400 million dollars, and includes the NLOS spike.

These are missiles with the largest range of the Spike series. The NLOS model, known as Tamuz, weighs about 71 kg, is capable of hitting a target from a distance of up to 32 km, and is launched from land, air or sea platforms. The missile’s long-range launch capabilities worry the Turkish political and military ranks, because in their view it is a strategic threat, thanks to its accuracy and launch capabilities from many platforms.

This is just one of many reasons why the Turks fear the tightening alliance between Israel and Greece and Cyprus. The Turks are interested in realizing the neo-Ottoman “blue homeland” vision, according to which they aim to take control of the entire eastern Mediterranean, but now Athens and Nicosia are also working to strengthen their military capabilities. This is a trend that is already challenging Turkey, and is expected to challenge it even more in the future.

America’s new rocket launcher: a skimmer

The Trump administration is adopting innovative strategies in many aspects, one of which is the desire to transfer the military to unmanned means, and as cheaply as possible. As part of this trend, it was decided to try to use transport drones whose original purpose is to carry heavy weights, as rocket launchers. This, with the understanding that in this way it will be possible to launch rockets from a height and distance that will be very difficult to intercept.

Therefore, in an experiment that took place in Fort Rucker, Alabama, local defense companies conducted an experiment in which they launched three 70 mm rockets from the TRV 150 supply hovercraft. The experiment was a success, and in the US they hope that it is a measure that will upgrade the attack capabilities of tactical forces, without spending on extraordinary technologies.

The TRV 150 drone was originally designed for logistics missions, it can carry about 70 kg, and is used by the US Army and the Marines. “For the most part, the industry waits for the requirements that come from the government, and they meet the requirement,” Clark Duterer, vice president of Survey Engineering, which manufactures the drone, told Defense News. “In this case, we identified something that could be proven, a new capability, and we didn’t wait for the demand to be received. We financed it ourselves.”

Iranian air defense systems have been deployed in Armenia

Armenia took advantage of the “Republic Day” parade in Yurban to present the short-range air defense system made in Iran, Majed AD-08, which is stationed in the country. About four systems were presented in the parade, with an interesting change concerning the vehicles on which the Armenians installed them: while Iran uses a locally produced Aras 2 truck, Armenia is a country that is not subject to sanctions – and therefore chose to install them on Italian-made trucks of the Ibco company.

The Majed AD-08 was developed by the Iranian military industry, and presented it for the first time in 2021. Like many Iranian systems, it is considered cheap compared to its counterparts, and is designed to protect military bases and critical infrastructure from drones, cruise missiles and helicopters. Each system has four launchers, with an electro-optical system that can detect threats at a range of up to 15 km.

Majed’s interceptor uses an infrared search system combined with a proximity detonator, a component that generates the explosion automatically upon approaching the target. Hence the advantage of the Iranian system that does not rely on radar guidance, but on the heat signature received from the target. Majed’s maximum strike range is eight kilometers, and the maximum altitude for interception is six kilometers.