It was late at night when Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles moved forward into what has become to known to be a contested battle zone, a place untouched by Israeli tanks for many years. The air vibrated with the force of nearby air strikes, setting a tense backdrop for the soldiers waiting inside their armoured vehicles. The silence seemed to be waiting to be shattered. That moment came when a missile, fired from close range, streaked toward the lead vehicle.
The night sky was suddenly lit up by an explosion that could have been catastrophic, capable of stopping the convoy and wreaking untold destruction. But the vehicles pushed on. Thanks to IAI ELTA’s WindGuard radar, the heart of the Trophy active protection system (APS), the point from which the missile was fired was detected instantly. The tank crew reacted quickly, directing a helicopter to strike back at the hidden enemy. The APS destroyed the missile just in time, preventing disaster and ensuring the safety of the soldiers, allowing the mission to continue without loss.
Technological vanguard for the IDF’s armoured defence
The onset of the ‘Iron Swords’ War led the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) into the dense and perilous battlefields of the Gaza Strip. The technologically advanced WindGuard radar is the key component that enables the Trophy APS to provide its crucial shield. This allows the soldiers to enter the most dangerous zones with a new level of confidence. In this narrow environment, where metal can become a trap, the WindGuard radar is the guardian that turns potential peril into moments of victory, keeping the soldiers safe and the mission on course.
The IDF does not disclose operational performance data about the Trophy system during active engagements, but has confirmed that the system successfully intercepted anti-tank missiles fired at armoured vehicles in the Strip. “We encountered dozens of anti-tank missiles aimed at our forces, and managed to prevent hits thanks to the systems we possess,” said the Commander of the 162nd Division at a press briefing.
Long before the first shots were fired in Gaza, Israel’s Armoured Corps was already primed for the new threats and unforgiving realities of modern warfare. The foresight of Israel’s defence strategy saw its armoured vehicles outfitted with advanced surveillance and protection technologies, ensuring that their troops had the situational awareness, early-warning capabilities, and protection necessary to conduct operations in complex environments. A significant part of this preparedness was due to the innovation and multi-disciplinary expertise of Israel Aerospace Industries, which has laid the foundation for combat systems used not only by the IDF but also by armies worldwide.
This system did not have to wait until the outbreak of war to evolve; it was already in place, safeguarding the IDF’s main battle tanks (MBTs) and other armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) against all perceived threats. The WindGuard radar offers 360% azimuthal coverage and extensive elevation scanning, complete with a built-in hostile fire detection capability, making it a robust threat detection and engagement solution.
WindGuard has proven its compatibility and effectiveness in the field beyond imagination. Its four flat-panel antennae work tirelessly, continuously scanning the battlefield to detect, track, and classify incoming threats in real time. By analysing the target track, including range, speed, and other parameters of the threat, the system calculates the time to impact, allowing for the prompt deployment of countermeasures to intercept and neutralise the threats.
The sensitivity and swift response of the radar is vital in scenarios where threats can appear without warning and from many different directions. The ability to accurately deploy countermeasures ensures that collateral damage is kept to a minimum, allowing infantry to operate safely in proximity to armoured vehicles.
Combat excellence in protecting soldiers’ lives
Integration of the WindGuard radar with the Trophy APS creates a seamless and automatic defence mechanism capable of addressing a wide spectrum of threats, from precision-guided missiles to rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). In the dense settings of Gaza City and the open terrain of the north of the Gaza Strip, the system has demonstrated a remarkably high success rate, effectively countering immediate threats, including those launched from close quarters: a real challenge for any defence system.
The WindGuard radar is not only combat tested but is also the centerpiece of the world’s first and only operational APS: the Trophy system. With an incredible amount of operational hours since its inception in 2011 and thousands of units installed on various combat vehicles worldwide, Trophy, with its unique WindGuard radar efficacy, is beyond question. It has been integrated into many different types of vehicle platforms, from Merkava tanks and Namer AFVs in Israel to M1A2 Abrams and Leopard 2A7 MBTs internationally. Efforts are also currently underway to adapt the system for use on additional international MBTs and AFVs.
The latest Merkava Mk4 Barak MBT has taken integration of WindGuard even further, incorporating it into the vehicle’s layer of weapon systems. This integration provides crews with comprehensive situational awareness, enhancing both the platform’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
In essence, the IAI ELTA WindGuard radar, paired with the Trophy APS, represents a significant leap in preemptive defence, serving as a protective shield that was ready long before the sounds of the present fighting were heard. It is a testament to the strategic vision that emphasises readiness, ensuring that the IDF’s armoured forces remain responsive and decisively proactive in the face of evolving threats.
This advanced IAI ELTA radar system, with its continuously evolving and sophisticated detection and tracking capabilities, works in concert with the tank’s other systems to form an impenetrable shield against a wide array of threats. WindGuard’s decade-long service record and global deployment across a multitude of combat vehicles underscores its essential role in modern warfare, combining situational awareness with unerring precision in threat response.
WindGuard, in conjunction with Trophy, has revolutionised the IDF’s armoured defences, merging technological innovation with unmatched operational success. It provides a leap in combat readiness, offering unparalleled protection for soldiers under the most perilous of conditions. The system stands not only as a testament to strategic foresight but also as a protector of lives, delivering an extraordinary success rate that exemplifies the new era of modern armoured warfare — where vigilance, protection, and tactical superiority are key to preserving lives on the battlefield.
