Yes, according to Aviation Week:
The big mystery of the strike is how did the non-stealthy F-15s and F-16s get through the Syrian air defense radars without being detected? Some U.S. officials say they have the answer.
U.S. aerospace industry and retired military officials indicated today that a technology like the U.S.-developed “Suter” airborne network attack system developed by BAE Systems and integrated into U.S. unmanned aircraft by L-3 Communications was used by the Israelis. The system has been used or at least tested operationally in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last year.
The technology allows users to invade communications networks, see what enemy sensors see and even take over as systems administrator so sensors can be manipulated into positions so that approaching aircraft can’t be seen, they say. The process involves locating enemy emitters with great precision and then directing data streams into them that can include false targets and misleading messages algorithms that allow a number of activities including control. [My emphasis]
A Kuwaiti newspaper wrote that “Russian experts are studying why the two state-of-the art Russian-built radar systems in Syria did not detect the Israeli jets entering Syrian territory. Iran reportedly has asked the same question, since it is buying the same systems and might have paid for the Syrian acquisitions.”
The system in question is thought to be the new Tor-M1 launchers which carries eight missiles as well as two of the Pachora-2A system. Iran bought 29 of the Tor launchers from Russia for $750 million to guard its nuclear sites, and they were delivered in Jan., according to Agency France-Press and ITAR-TASS. Syrian press reports they were tested in February. They also are expected to form a formidable system when used with the longer-range S-300/SA-10 which Iran has been trying to buy from Russia. Syria has operated SA-6s for years and more recently has been negotiating with Russians for the Tor-M1. What systems were actually guarding the Syrian site are not known.
Assuming the information in this article is accurate, Israel did more than attack Syria: it also sent a message to Tehran. From Israel’s Ha’aretz:
Iran has used similar systems in the past, and is slated to purchase more radar equipment in a future deal worth $750 million. This equipment is apparently designated to protect Iran’s nuclear facilities against attacks from the air.
Arutz Sheva adds this:
The wisdom of that purchase is now being questioned by Iranian officials, given Israel’s success in circumventing the system, a tactic that could also enable a successful strike against Iran through Syrian airspace.
Also note the abrupt change recently in the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. This article from MEMRI gives some background on the new head of the IRGC.
The use of a previously undisclosed capability may be an indicator that the target of the strike was considered of high value.
But then there should be several stories out on how this was done. Enough to keep everyone busy!
Crosspatch’s link says that he new head of the IRGC participated in the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in 1979.
More importantly, if you look at his doctrine, you can sort of see what their response to an attack from the West is going to be. It is likely going to be attacks by Iranian influenced cells that are already here.
As far as the use of an undisclosed technology in the strike, I think that might have been part of our holding off supporting such an action until we were sure it was absolutely necessary. I can understand some reluctance on the part of Washington to expose this capability to the Russians and Iranians.
To further muddy the waters, it is highly possible that certain people in Syria who were responsible for watching tiny little tv screens have received substantial amounts of cold hard cash. Spending a couple hundred million on electronic gadgets can be highly effective, but then again spending a mil or two in direct payments can be just as effective. For which, a good cover story is critical, and “magic digital jamming” sure seems too good to be true.
Not on topic but . . .
Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s “Statement On Iraq” to UK House of Commons 10/8/2007 (about 8 typewritten pages):
http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page13450.asp
Concluding statement:
” . . . As I have made clear, we have made commitments to the Iraqi people, through the United Nations, and we will honour these obligations.
We will continue to be actively engaged in Iraq’s political and economic development.
We will continue to assist the Iraqi Government and its security forces to help build their capabilities – military, civilian and economic – so that they can take full responsibility for the security of their own country.
And we will never shirk from but continue to discharge our duties to them and to the international community.
Mr Speaker, it is also important to remember what has brought us to this stage. It is the determination, professionalism and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. They have protected the Iraqi people while training their security forces to bring peace to their cities, towns and districts. The scale of their achievement should not be underestimated.
I commend this statement to the House.”
Foresees about 2500 UK troops deployed in Iraq by next summer.
More links on the strike:
AWST article by David Fulgham:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/aw100807p2.xml&headline=Israel%20used%20electronic%20attack%20in%20air%20strike%20against%20Syrian%20mystery%20target
Strategy Page:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20071006.aspx
DefenseTech.org
http://www.defensetech.org/archives/003771.html
Just remember that when the Russians started trying to sell “advanced” equipment after the fall of the USSR, the first stuff they tried to sell was the stuff that did not work.
Either they had never tested it, or had tested it and it had failed, or the quality control was very poor or the people that tried to operate it were not properly trained.
The West German Luftwaffe looked at all the Soviet airplanes they had inherited from the East, decided to keep only the Mig-29’s, and then operated the Migs for a while and decided to get rid of them, too.
Communism did not breed either high quality hardware or highly reliable people.
Suzi…
For the most part I agree with you and enjoy reading your posts….
US News…
US News…
golfing…
A nice blog about Golf….