Elisra to Equip Polish Vehicles With Anti-IED Devices (updated)
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Elbit Systems’ 100% subsidiary Elisra Electronic Systems has received an order estimated at $3 million from the Polish Ministry of Defense for its unique EJAB (Electronic Jammer Against Bombs) system. Designed to thwart remotely activated explosive devices, EJAB will support the Polish Army’s forces in Iraq and work to help keep them safe from IED land mines. Judging by the doorless jeep picture on the left, the portability of Elisra’s EJAB will make it a timely purchase indeed.
DID’s report follows with a picture of the device, plus aditional details covering the order, EJAB itself and some recent shifts in Polish tactical doctrine. Not to mention a reason why every single one of us has a personal stake in the continued success of this technology…
Poland’s Tactical Shifts and EJAB Order
eDefense Online reports that the Polish contingent in Iraq will receive 5 vehicle-mounted sets and 5 portable sets, with deliveries slated to begin at the end of February 2006. The article also notes that the EJAB systems will belong the the deployment rather than to the units, and will be rotated off to new Polish units as existing units are sent home.
Under new procedures adopted by Polish forces in Iraq, meanwhile, the Polish patrol picture above may look very different. eDefense also notes that convoys or ‘soft-skin’ vehicles like jeeps are now preceded by armored vehicles when on patrol. The hope is that this will allow more reistant vehicles to be hit with any IED blasts from pressure-sensitive mines, etc. Meanwhile, the EJABs will form a second layer of defense against remote control detonations, and their use will be supervised and assited by the reconnaissance and electronic-warfare (EW) service of the Polish Army.
The EJAB System
Elisra developed its EJAB mobile electronic jammers against IED land mines in cooperation with the Israeli Defense Forces. EJAB’s jamming capability addresses the full range of communication activation devices, including radio, cellular phone, satellite and remote control devices. The jammer is deployed in a portable suitcase, and can be handheld or vehicle-mounted.
EJAB includes features like display indicators and audio alarms, so that the operator can easily evaluate the device’s operating state. The device is also easily computer-programmable: by using the interface, the operator can configure the preferred jams based on the scenario. For each band, the jammer has a separate exciter that can be programmed by an external computer, a power amplifier, and an external antenna. Remote-control can also be incorporated, using a built-in option.
According to Itzchak Gat, CEO of Elisra, “this order will hopefully open the door to other NATO nations operating in Iraq and Pakistan.” Read corporate release.
The Home Front: Civilian Anti-IED
Hopefully, it will also spur bigger sales on our home fronts. On the basis of military jammers like EJAB that can block things like wireless detonators, Elisra has also developed a number of civilian products that jam wireless communications. In other words, they block cell phone calls in conference rooms and in open spaces, such as theaters, stadiums, et. al.
A civilian defense against IEDs – Ignoramuses Every Day. Hooray!
(Originally published January 11, 2006. Updated with new information from eDefense)
