Elbit’s persistent surveillance drone can watch entire cities in real time
In an age where threats can lurk anywhere authorities are calling out for new surveillance systems that can watch entire areas, or cities, in real time, and industry is answering them
Key takeaways
- Yesterday at the Paris Airshow Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence company, demonstrated their new, breakthrough commercial avionics system called SkEye, a Wide Area Persistent Surveillance System (WAPS).
- Putting that into perspective just thirteen of these systems, linked, could monitor and track everything happening in Los Angeles in real time.
- The SkEye system can be installed in light manned aircraft and large Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and has already been operated for several years by the military of at least two countries.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2017) 'Elbit’s persistent surveillance drone can watch entire cities in real time', 311 Institute, 18 June. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/elbits-newest-persistent-surveillance-drone-can-watch-entire-cities-in-real-time/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Yesterday at the Paris Airshow Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence company, demonstrated their new, breakthrough commercial avionics system called SkEye, a Wide Area Persistent Surveillance System (WAPS).
Persistent surveillance systems, such as WAMI, which was used during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and ones that I’ve mentioned before like those being trialled in Baltimore, or the new Planet satellite network “Constellation,” are exactly what they sound like, airborne systems, armed with batteries of cameras and intelligent software, that can monitor everyone, and everything, whether it’s in a battle, or in a city, or every corner of Earth 24/7/365.
In fact, they’re getting so good that many experts in the field now describe them as “Google Earth with TiVo capability.” In SkEye’s case the platform stitches together thousands of real time images to create a billion pixel coverage of an 80 square kilometre area. Putting that into perspective just thirteen of these systems, linked, could monitor and track everything happening in Los Angeles in real time.
The SkEye system can be installed in light manned aircraft and large Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and has already been operated for several years by the military of at least two countries.
SkEye persistently observes and records a much wider area than conventional UAS carried Visual Intelligence (VISINT) systems, and like the other systems on the market, the system's users can also choose real-time or "back in time" video footage anywhere within the covered area, and ten different areas can be analysed in depth by different users simultaneously.
The system is made up of several ultra long range, day and night, multi-spectral Electro Optic (EO) ISTAR sensor, image processing and data storage units, which continuously send data to the ground based SkEye Control and Management Center, and it can also be configured to flag specific events using a customised alert system.
And yes, you are right, this does give new meaning to an eye in the sky, and when it’s combined with other new emerging technologies you might want to stop, pause and think about what all this means for the future of your personal privacy...
What this means for your organisation
Cities can now be recorded whole.
SkEye stitches thousands of real time images into a billion pixel view of 80 square kilometres. Thirteen linked systems could cover Los Angeles. Users can also replay footage from any point in the covered area. Anything that happens outdoors in view may be kept and searched later.
The sensing is spreading beyond drones.
Persistent surveillance already includes WAMI at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, trials in Baltimore and the Planet Constellation satellite network. Low earth orbit platforms are expected to be in wide use by 2030. Event based sensors, which report only when something changes, are expected by 2028. Together they make constant watching cheaper to run.
Privacy and data rules need attention now.
Ten areas can be analysed in depth by different users at once, and alerts can be set for chosen events. That makes the data useful to many parties. Personal data stores are expected in wide use by 2038, and encrypted data processing by 2032. Both point to how people and firms may take back control of what is shared.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our sites or activities could be seen and replayed from above?
- Who would hold footage of our people, and under what rules?
- Are our privacy and data policies ready for constant aerial recording?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
In an age where threats can lurk anywhere authorities are calling out for new surveillance systems that can watch entire areas, or cities, in real time, and industry is answering them
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Elbit Systems elbitsystems.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 18 June 2017. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2017). Elbit’s persistent surveillance drone can watch entire cities in real time. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/elbits-newest-persistent-surveillance-drone-can-watch-entire-cities-in-real-time/
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