Paris Air Show 2023: Elbit Systems unveils new airborne ECM

Elbit Systems Nano SPEAR displayed at the Paris Air Show 2023. (Janes/Olivia Savage)

Elbit Systems has launched a new airborne electronic countermeasure (ECM) system called Nano SPEAR (Self Protection Electronic Attack and Reconnaissance) at the Paris Air Show 2023, held from 19 to 25 June.

Nano SPEAR is a miniature countermeasure system designed to protect aircraft against radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

Weighing less than 0.8 kg, the expendable radio frequency (RF) decoy fits in an aircraft's existing countermeasure dispenser system, reducing the integration burden. Once deployed, the decoy acts independently to lure away hostile radar-guided missiles, Asher, CTO for Elbit Systems airborne business development unit, told Janes.

The ECM features an advanced digital receiver, a digital RF memory device, and an electronic warfare (EW) technique generator. It can complement an aircraft's existing EW systems, or act as a standalone EW solution, the company said.

EW jammers are not always equipped on aircraft because of size and complexity. In this regard, the Nano SPEAR can act as a replacement to a jammer, Asher said.

The company plans to operationally test Nano SPEAR in 2024 with one of their customers, he added.

Nano is part of the SPEAR family, comprising the Micro SPEAR for very small installations, Light SPEAR for installation on medium-large sized helicopters and UAVs, and the Advanced SPEAR ECM Pod for fighter and transport aircraft.