Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has developed the third generation of the RecceLite XR reconnaissance system, which features artificial intelligence (AI) and enhanced sensors.

The latest model of the RecceLite XR and its new capabilities were demonstrated for the first time to an international delegation in late 2021, including more than 20 industry partners and customers from several different countries. The simulation involved a series of operational tasks, which according to Rafael were successfulky executed by the third-generation RecceLite XR, supported by other Rafael systems.

 “This demo illustrated part of Rafael's spectrum of combat-proven intelligence capabilities which are critical in today's asymmetric, urban-warfare environments,” said Ofer Weinberg, vice president, business development and marketing at Rafael’s Air and C4ISR Systems division. “In these arenas, detecting and classifying elusive enemies presents a significant challenge that air forces around the world must successfully overcome. We thank our industry partners and our customers for coming to get a first-hand look at the latest model of our RecceLite XR in action and for sharing their feedback as well as their operational experience.”

Rafael’s RecceLite provides multi-spectral, multi-role, real-time stand-off and stand-in reconnaissance, consists of an airborne pod, a wide digital D/L, and a ground exploitation station. It is part of Rafael's family of advanced aerial and ground Electro-Optical (EO) systems, which also includes the LITENING targeting pod, the Toplite EO/Infrared pod, snd the Sky Spotter ground early warning system.

The third-generation RecceLite XR pod builds on its operational predecessor with extended ranges of more than 80 km, and stand-in and stand-off operation. It has an enhanced sensor suite with four different wavelengths: VIS, Near Infrared (NIR), Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR), and Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR). 

The latest RecceLite XR model also includes enhanced image resolution, real-time video, and advanced Line of Sight stabilisation, with extended area coverage, advanced image algorithms, and AI, each enabling Wide Area Persistent Surveillance (WAPS).