Elbit Packages Autonomy Line as IDF Plans Unmanned Systems Branch
A new portfolio turns fielded drones and robots into one command proposition as Israel's military centralizes responsibility for unmanned systems and AI.
A new portfolio turns fielded drones and robots into one command proposition as Israel’s military centralizes responsibility for unmanned systems and AI.
Elbit Systems consolidated its autonomous aircraft, drones and ground vehicles under FUSE on Sept. 9, the company announced. The launch came one day after IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said he had finalized plans for a new military branch dedicated to unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FUSE?
A business line Elbit Systems unveiled on Sept. 9 in Rosh HaAyin that consolidates its autonomous drones and unmanned ground vehicles into a single portfolio. Calcalist reported it sits inside Elbit's C4I and Cyber division.
What does Dominion-X do?
It is the AI operating system at the center of FUSE. Elbit says it lets one operator coordinate many aerial and ground platforms at once, a setup the company calls One2Many, and that it works in GPS-denied conditions using automatic target recognition.
How much of this is already fielded?
Elbit says the portfolio's systems have logged more than 1 million operational flight hours and over 100,000 autonomous ground-operation hours, with thousands of drones and hundreds of ground platforms delivered. The company named no units, countries or contracts, so the deployment claim rests on Elbit alone.
What is the new IDF branch?
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Sept. 8 that he had finalized plans for a branch dedicated to unmanned systems and artificial intelligence, to be inaugurated by Hanukkah in early December. The IDF has three branches today: Ground Forces, Air Force and Navy.
Do humans still approve targeting?
Elbit officials told the Jerusalem Post that humans will and must remain in the loop to sign off on targeting decisions and to limit harm to civilians.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.