Israel Aerospace Industries unveils POINT@AIR aerostat radar

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled POINT@AIR, a new tactical radar system mounted on a compact aerostat, at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition in Washington, DC. The system utilizes active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, derived from the ELM-2083 radar family, to provide 360-degree surveillance.

By mounting the radar on a tethered, helium-filled balloon, the system can be elevated above terrain, urban structures, and topographical obstacles. This elevation allows for the earlier detection of low-flying aerial, maritime, and ground targets that might otherwise be obscured from ground-based radar. The POINT@AIR is designed for rapid deployment and continuous operation without the need for fixed infrastructure, making it suitable for mobile tactical forces.

The radar can detect, track, and prioritize multiple targets simultaneously and can be integrated into existing command-and-control systems to provide a unified operational picture. While the technology is based on systems used in larger early-warning radars, this new version is scaled for mobility and flexibility in the field.