In a groundbreaking announcement, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled its Robotic Combat Task Force, a sophisticated system based on Human Machine Integrated Formation. This innovative technology marks a significant evolution in battlefield tactics, integrating ground and aerial robotics under human control to enhance operational effectiveness.
IAI’s Chairman, Amir Peretz, emphasized the importance of this initiative during the current Iron Swords war, stating, “IAI stands alongside the Israeli defence establishment and the IDF, and this is its top priority. However, alongside this commitment, as we have demonstrated over the past year, we have maintained business continuity and service continuity for our partners and clients worldwide. One of our missions during the Iron Swords war is to create advanced robotically unmanned technological solutions that will allow us to both ensure the safety of our civilians and soldiers, while minimizing harm to non-combatants.”
The Robotic Combat Task Force includes multiple components: Automission, a mission planning and execution system that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze sensor data; a Task Command Operation System that oversees mission operations and communications; and advanced robotic platforms—including ground vehicles and drones—equipped with sensors and effectors to perform various tasks.
IAI’s President and CEO, Boaz Levy, highlighted the core objectives of their land systems, noting, “At the core of IAI’s concept of land systems is the need to assist ground forces in the field in conducting their various missions with minimal risk to the soldier’s lives.” He also revealed that IAI has secured two significant projects from Israel’s defence establishment—‘Carmel’ and ‘Standoff-In’ (SOI)—which represent major advancements in robotic combat vehicles.
Amir Geva, IAI’s Executive Vice President for North America, described how recent technological developments have enabled the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to conduct fully robotic combat missions, drastically reducing risks to troops. “These missions, including clearing paths, bridging, and countering IEDs, typically pose high risks but were successfully completed from planning to execution using robotics, all while enhancing situational awareness,” Geva stated. “Using unmanned systems alongside manned ones in combat has transformed how we approach warfare.”
The Robotic Combat Task Force can perform complex operations at battalion and brigade levels, with field commanders defining mission parameters through the user-friendly Automission interface. The system ensures missions are executed with minimal human involvement while maintaining coordination with combat forces.
Notably, D9 bulldozers have been converted into robotic platforms, leading combat operations and executing complex engineering tasks without risking human lives. This transformation reflects a decade of IAI’s technological development aimed at addressing the challenges of complex terrain conditions.
IAI’s vision is grounded in three core principles: situational awareness, survivability, and lethality. By integrating advanced technologies, these systems can autonomously identify threats and execute defence measures in real-time.
As a leader in air defence, radars, satellites, unmanned vehicles, civil aviation, and cyber technologies, Israel Aerospace Industries continues to set the standard for innovative solutions in national and global defence.
