Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled the OTHELLO-P, a passive high-performance Gunfire Detection System (GDS) with integrated artificial intelligence processing. With Extended SWIR electro-optics (EO) & Acoustics Sensors, the system instantly detects, geo-locates, and alerts when detecting gunfire from small arms, snipers, machine guns, RPGs, and subsonic munition. The OTHELLO-P operates in both stationary and On-The-Move configurations, with installation on all-terrain vehicles, Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV), Main Battle Tanks (MBT) and autonomous unmanned platforms, as well as on para-military and VIP vehicles. A man-pack version has been implemented for infantry and Special Forces operations, as well.
Eytan Eshel, IAI Chief Technology Officer, said: “IAI invests tens of millions of dollars every year in the research and development of innovative technologies. The unique nature of IAI’s Innovation Center is based on accelerator format, operating as a start-up, that allowing the company’s engineers – a path to develop advanced technologies and reach – MVP or POC within 13 weeks.”
Yoav Tourgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA: “IAI continues to expand its activities in land-based systems, producing a variety of solutions: vehicles, detection, and defensive and offensive systems. The OTHELLO-P joins other operational awareness solutions, including a wide range of radars and Sigint sensors, in improving the identification and strike accuracy against targets in the field.”
The fusion of the electro-optics (EO) technology and acoustics sensors provides the troops in the field more accurate and versatile solutions for present and future challenges. The OTHELLO-P is a light weight, low power, unique passive solution with 360-degree coverage enabling very short and accurate sensor-to-shooter loop closing, thus providing protection and neutralization of threats in the area. The acoustics-based project began in IAI’s Innovation Center, as the initiative of engineers who had previously served in the Israel Defense Forces. Their aim was to integrate acoustic capabilities into hostile fire detection systems, to enhance the identification and classification accuracy of hostile targets. In IAI’s Innovation Center, new and advanced technological capabilities are developed, and then integrated into IAI’s existing and future projects. The IAI Innovation Center encourages technological diversity, entrepreneurial initiatives, and cooperation between IAI’s Groups and startup companies.
Israel Aerospace Industries (ha-ta’asiya ha-avirit le-yisra’el, IAI) is Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, producing aerial and astronautic systems for both military and civilian usage. It has 15,000 employees as of 2018. IAI is completely state-owned by the government of Israel. Although IAI’s main focus is engineering, aviation and high-tech electronics, it also manufactures military systems for ground and naval forces. Many of these products are specially suited for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) needs, while others are also marketed to foreign militaries. IAI designs, develops, produces and maintains civil aircraft, drones, fighter aircraft, missile, avionics, and space-based systems.
