Elbit Systems Wins U.S. Army Contract for Next-Generation Night Vision
Elbit Systems of America has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract by the U.S. Army to develop and test the Binocular Night Observation Device (BiNOD), a next-generation night vision system designed to replace the legacy monocular AN/PVS-14 that has served as the standard for nearly three decades. The contract, issued by the Army Contracting Command, establishes a vehicle for potential future production orders and positions Elbit to compete for a subsequent phase valued at up to $450.6 million.
BiNOD uses a two-tube configuration to provide stereoscopic vision, offering improved depth perception and spatial awareness crucial for low-light operations. Elbit America designed the system as a helmet-mounted, lightweight, and ruggedized platform that maintains compatibility with existing accessories and supports field upgrades. The award follows a February 2026 move by the Army, which allocated $1.3 billion in contracts to Elbit America and two other companies to develop, produce, and test BiNOD systems.
Erik Fox, senior vice president and general manager of Elbit America’s warfighter systems division, said the system is designed to provide soldiers with enhanced visual capabilities while maintaining a lightweight and comfortable form factor for extended missions. Luke Savoie, president and CEO of Elbit America, emphasized that the company develops night vision systems alongside soldiers, focusing on delivering rugged and scalable platforms that can be produced in mass.
UK Activists Convicted for Raid on Elbit Factory
While Elbit Systems secures major military contracts, the company continues to face significant opposition from activist groups. Four activists from the group Palestine Action were found guilty of criminal damage at a UK site of the Israel-based defence firm near Bristol in August 2024. Charlotte Head, 30, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, and Fatema Rajwani, 21, were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court. Corner was also found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm after striking a police officer twice with a sledgehammer, fracturing her spine.
The jury heard that the group, dressed in red jumpsuits, used a decommissioned prison van to crash into security shutters at the Elbit site and were armed with tools. Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the court: "Inside the warehouse, they set about destroying as much property as they could. They used crowbars and hammers to damage computers, equipment, drones and other products Elbit had manufactured." An estimated £1 million worth of damage was caused during the raid. Head, Corner, Kamio, and Rajwani were denied bail and remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 12 June. Two other defendants, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, were acquitted of the same charge.
Portland Activists Target Local Tech Supplier to Elbit
On the U.S. West Coast, anti-war activists in Portland, Oregon are pushing city authorities to investigate Sightline Intelligence, a local company that appears to be supplying AI-supported video technology to Elbit Systems. Cargo documents reviewed by activists show Sightline has shipped its technology to Elbit, an Israeli arms manufacturer that provides drones to the country’s military. Sightline’s AI software is used in drones to interpret target movements and make quick decisions based on perceived threat levels.
Activists argue that such sales violate UN arms agreements and are calling on the city to block any local resources, tax breaks, or investments that might support Sightline’s operations. Olivia Katbi, a political organizer in Portland, argued that international law called for an embargo on imports and exports of technology used in weapons. “It is showing images of people to kill,” Katbi said. “And that is what these drones do. They kill people.”
Makayla Thomas, a spokesperson for Sightline, said the company did not comment on specific customer relationships or deployments but added that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing its business. The activists believe that slowing the sale of components to the Israeli military on the local level may be a more effective strategy given consistent federal funding and support for Israel’s military operations.
Elbit Expands Drone Production in Romania
Amid these controversies, Elbit Systems continues to expand its global manufacturing footprint. The company has inaugurated a new Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) facility in Chitila, Romania — its seventh production facility in the country. The facility was developed under the Watchkeeper XR program and will serve as a comprehensive centre for the production, integration, testing, and maintenance of advanced unmanned aerial platforms.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the Romanian government and armed forces. Yoram Shmueli, General Manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace, highlighted that the Watchkeeper XR platform completed its first flight in Romanian airspace earlier in the day. He stated that the establishment of the new facility reinforces the company’s commitment to Romania and reflects confidence in the country’s industrial ecosystem.
Elbit Systems has maintained a presence in Romania for over 30 years and currently employs more than 1,000 professionals across its operations in the country. The company’s activities extend beyond manufacturing to include technology transfer, lifecycle support, and the development of local talent. The localised production approach aims to strengthen Romania’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing while ensuring closer alignment with national defence requirements.
Broader Implications: A Company at the Center of Global Tensions
Elbit Systems finds itself at a unique crossroads, simultaneously advancing cutting-edge military technology for allied nations while facing increasing scrutiny and opposition from activist groups across multiple continents. The company’s U.S. Army contract for BiNOD represents a significant vote of confidence from the Pentagon, reinforcing Elbit’s position as a key supplier of vital soldier equipment. However, the UK convictions and Portland protests highlight a growing trend of grassroots activism targeting companies perceived as enabling military operations in Gaza.
The juxtaposition of Elbit’s expansion in Romania — part of a broader European defence industrial build-up — against activism in the U.S. and UK underscores the polarized landscape in which defence contractors now operate. European nations, including Romania, are investing heavily in domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, partly driven by regional security concerns. For Elbit, deepening ties in Europe helps diversify its production base and reduce reliance on any single market.
For readers following developments in the Middle East, the ongoing U.S. military posture shifts in the region provide additional context to the heightened scrutiny of defence contractors like Elbit. Meanwhile, the company’s ability to navigate these parallel pressures — delivering on massive U.S. contracts, managing legal fallout from direct action protests, and expanding European operations — will likely shape its trajectory for years to come.
The global defence industry is watching closely. If Elbit can successfully manage these challenges, it may set a precedent for how major arms manufacturers operate in an era of heightened public activism. Conversely, the company could face a future where its every move is contested both in courtrooms and on factory floors.
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