Lotem (Hebrew: לוטם), abbreviation for Unit for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Hebrew: החטיבה להתעצמות טכנולוגית מבצעית), originally Unit for Communication and Information Technology (Hebrew: היחידה לתקשוב וטכנולוגיות מידע)[1] is a technological-operational unit within the IDF's C4I Corps. It provides platforms and develops systems in its areas of expertise for various IDF units and other security bodies. The unit is commanded by Brigadier General Yael Grossman.
Purpose and Areas of Responsibility
editThe unit's purpose is the initiation, development, establishment, operation, and maintenance of integrative communication systems across the entire IDF,[2] as well as the formulation of architecture and technological communication standards for the entire IDF. This mission includes:
- Operation of command and control systems
- Operation of a software house for the development of operational systems[3]
- Development of large-scale engineering systems
- Operation of communication systems
- Operation of computing and support for computer users
- Information systems security
Lotem's subordinate units
edit- Mamram (ממר"ם) – Center of Computers and Information Systems – Responsible for managing military software and computer infrastructure.[4]
- Hoshen (חושן) – Responsible for operating the army's communication systems.
- Ma'of (מעו"ף) – Systems and Projects – responsible for planning and engineering telecommunication systems.
- Matzpen (מצפ"ן) – Military Systems for Command and Control and management of logistics and human resources. The army's biggest software house that consists of the unification of Leshem (לשם) and Shoham (שהם) units.
- Basmach (בסמ"ח) – The "IDF School of Computer Science," also known as "Basmach," is a program within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that provides advanced training and education in computer science and related fields to soldiers who have been identified as having exceptional talent in these areas.[5]
Unit History
editThe unit was established on March 3, 2003,[6] as a framework which integrated units previously part of the Communications Corps and the General Staff Communications Division. Its original name, chosen by its first commander, Brigadier General Yoav Even Zohar, was "the Unit for Communication and Information Technologies."
In May 2021, a badge featuring the unit's new emblem was awarded for the first time to members of the unit.[7]
Commanders of the Lotem Unit
edit| Name | Years Active |
| Brigadier General Yehoo Even Zohav | 2003–2005 |
| Brigadier General Ofir Shoham | 2005–2010 |
| Brigadier General Ayala Hakim | 2010–2013 |
| Brigadier General Daniel Bren | 2013–2016 |
| Brigadier General Rami Malachi | 2016–2019 |
| Brigadier General Omer Dagan | 2019–2023 |
| Brigadier General Yael Grossman | 2023–Present |
References
edit- ^ "Meet Brig.-Gen. Yael Grossman, one of the highest-ranked women in the IDF". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "LOTEM Unit - Technological Innovation in Recent IDF Operation". iHLS. 2019-11-24. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "Meet the IDF unit bringing Israel's army into the digital age". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2022-04-17. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ The Military as a Public Space — The Role of the IDF in the Israeli Software Innovation System, Dan Breznitz, April 2002, MIT-IPC-02-004; an MIT working paper
- ^ Frantzman, Seth (2022-11-29). "How Israel is preparing the next generation of cyber soldiers". Defense News. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Daughter, Unit: Sergeant Major Lotem will serve in Lotem". www.israelhayom.co.il. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
- ^ "This is what the first badge of the Lotem Unit looks like". www.idf.il. Retrieved 2024-07-29.