(Times of Israel) Stuart Winer - Israel has deployed a system that can spot fire-starting balloons and kites in the sky, track their progress, and then direct firefighters to their landing spots, enabling them to more rapidly extinguish the flames and reduce damage. The Sky Spotter system, built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has been in operation along the Gaza border for several days, Hadashot TV reported Thursday. Originally developed to counter small drones, Sky Spotter can track the balloons or kites and pinpoint their location, where they are heading, and where they are likely to land. Sky Spotter can also be used to direct defensive drones that collide in midair with the kites or balloons, bringing them down. Until now such drones have been flown by army reservists, experts in drone operation, but the system will soon be able to control the drones automatically, directing them to the threats. Testing has continued on a laser system that could be used to shoot down the balloons or kites in flight. Development is advancing and this system is expected to soon be deployed around Gaza.
2018-06-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive