The Carmel program is the name given to the development of new armored attack vehicles to be used by the IDF in future combat scenarios. the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the Office of the Armored Corps, were tasked by Israel’s Defense Ministry to develop the program to create a new vision for combat using advanced technology platform. The program utilizes autonomous and semi-autonomous computer systems that are based on artificial intelligence and utilize automatic maneuvering. It is essentially upgrading already existing IDF combat vehicles.

According to previous reports in the Israeli media, the purpose of the program was to develop the technology necessary for the “combat field of the future,” maintaining operational superiority via technological superiority. The idea behind the new platforms was to focus on creating operational areas inside closed hatch attack vehicles that could be manned by two people, who could operate the entire vehicle by themselves, much like an airplane’s cockpit.

The DDR&D selected three companies, Rafael, IAI, and Elbit Systems to continue the development process and report back after they achieved their goal of creating an advanced cockpit which integrates autonomous capabilities such as maneuvering and detecting targets, with the human interface of the combat soldiers.  The new development allows a combat soldier staffing the vehicle to enjoys multi-sensor fusion, 360-degree surround vision, high connectivity, and situational awareness. Thus, while the system takes care of the majority of navigation and target acquirement, the soldiers are left to make decisions that the mechanisms cannot yet make by itself including the choice of whether to fire or not, mission selection, and any other necessary task that the system is not capable of.

Elbit created a system where the operators of the platform could use a helmet-mounted display (HMD) that would allow them to see outside the vehicle even while they are under fully closed hatches. This allows for better survivability in the event of an enemy attack.

RAFAEL developed a breakthrough transparent cockpit design that enables 360 degree situational awareness. The new design relies upon augmented reality for real-time battlefield information and data.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) presented a platform based on the company’s family of autonomous systems and robotic tools that combines a panoramic display, individual control screens, and a control stick similar to a gaming console. This system integrates the various components in the platform and assists the human operator in processing information, focusing on critical threats, and making effective real-time decisions.

According to a report in Arutz Sheva, The DDR&D is also working on development programs on incorporating hybrid propulsion, cyber defense, active camouflage, multi-task radar, a system to identify troops, and more.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)