BERLIN — June 03, 2026 : Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled OPAL Next Generation (OPAL-NG), an advanced airborne decentralized battle management system designed for sixth-generation combat platforms and multi-domain military operations. The system is making its public debut at the ILA Berlin Air Show.
OPAL-NG is the latest evolution of IAI’s OPAL battle management architecture, building on the operational foundation of the original system introduced in 2019. The legacy OPAL network is currently deployed across fighter aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), airborne early warning aircraft, naval vessels, and ground command centers.
Designed as a network-centric, software-defined avionics architecture, OPAL-NG enables real-time data sharing, multi-domain situational awareness, and interoperability across air, land, and maritime forces. The system creates a shared operational picture by allowing connected platforms to exchange voice communications, imagery, video, intelligence, and mission-level information in real time.
A major enhancement in OPAL-NG is the integration of edge-based artificial intelligence, which enables real-time data processing, task prioritization, and decision support directly at the platform level. The AI capability is intended to support manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) operations, allowing unmanned systems to operate as extensions of crewed platforms.
Through continuous real-time collaboration, participating assets can dynamically share sensing and intelligence data, electronic warfare activities, target interception tracking, and strike functions. By processing large volumes of information from multiple sources and converting them into actionable insights within milliseconds, the system is designed to shorten the sensor-to-shooter cycle and support time-critical targeting and mission execution.
OPAL-NG utilizes an open, standards-based architecture that enables military operators to integrate existing hardware, datalinks, and software-defined radios (SDRs) without extensive platform modifications. The system is interoperable with NATO communication standards, including Link-16, allowing integration with allied forces and coalition networks.
The open architecture also enables users to develop indigenous operational applications and mission-specific software while retaining existing infrastructure. This flexibility supports both legacy and next-generation platforms and allows future capability upgrades without major hardware changes.
Commenting on the launch, IAI Chairman of the Board Boaz Levy said future combat operations will depend on interoperability, speed, and the ability to operate as a unified multi-domain force. He noted that OPAL-NG combines AI-enabled processing with enhanced collaboration between manned and unmanned systems to support faster and more informed decision-making.
Yaacov Berkovitz, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IAI Aviation, said the system provides a shared operational picture across platforms and domains while improving real-time coordination between distributed assets. He added that OPAL-NG’s open architecture enables operators to integrate existing systems while enhancing operational capabilities on both current and future platforms.
With the introduction of OPAL-NG, IAI is expanding its battle management portfolio to address the growing demand for AI-enabled, networked, and distributed operations that are expected to define future combat environments.
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