Israel unveils new drone fleet that can reach Iran
By TIA GOLDENBERG, Associated Press Writer
Sun Feb 21, 3:54 pm ET
TEL NOF AIR FORCE BASE, Israel – Israel's air force on Sunday introduced a fleet of huge pilotless planes that can remain in the air for a full day and could fly as far as the Persian Gulf, putting rival Iran within its range.
The Heron TP drones have a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making them the size of Boeing 737 passenger jets and the largest unmanned aircraft in Israel's military. The planes can fly at least 20 consecutive hours and are primarily used for surveillance and carrying diverse payloads.
At the fleet's inauguration ceremony at a sprawling air base in central Israel, the drone dwarfed an F-15 fighter jet parked beside it. The unmanned plane resembles its predecessor, the Heron, but can fly higher, reaching an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,000 meters), and remain in the air longer.
"With the inauguration of the Heron TP, we are realizing the air force's dream," said Brig. Gen. Amikam Norkin, commander of the base that will operate the drones. "The Heron TP is a technological and operational breakthrough."
The commander of Israel's air force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan, said the aircraft "has the potential to be able to conduct new missions down the line as they become relevant."
Israel's military refused to say how large the new fleet is or whether the planes were designed for use against Iran, but stressed it was versatile and could adapt to new missions. The plane's maker, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, has said it is capable of reaching the Persian Gulf, which would put Iran within its range.
Israeli defense officials said the Heron TP could be a useful tool against Iran. It could provide surveillance, jam enemy communications and connect ground control and manned air force planes.
miamiair wrote:Not very stealthy.
miamiair wrote:Although I would not be surprised if they have something like the "DevilBeast of Kandahar" tooling around.
Allstarflyer wrote:"Diverse payloads" . . . besides bombs, what else could be in store?
DATE:16/10/07
SOURCE:Flight International
Israeli air force reveals sensor-equipped Eitan UAV
By Arie Egozi
The Israeli air force has for the first time displayed its Israel Aerospace Industries Eitan endurance unmanned air vehicle prototype with sensor payloads fitted.
Shown to the media at Tel-Nof air base on 8 October, the Eitan's displayed sensor fit comprises a belly-mounted synthetic aperture radar pod, and what appears to be a modified Elop advanced multi-sensor payload system beneath its nose. It also carries two conformal signals intelligence arrays - most likely interferometers - near the base of its satellite communications fairing.
Analysis of the air vehicle configuration suggests that its modular SAR payload's forward-facing radome is intended to support penetrating missions rather than support generic wide-area roles, for which a sideways-looking fixed array would be more appropriate. The pod fairing's flared profile suggests either wider lower lobes on a fixed array, or a limited movement mechanical array, with its VHF antenna indicating the presence of a dedicated datalink.
A large thermal exhaust located beneath the sensor pod confirms the use of an active cooling system, while the size of the UAV's payload bay also indicates a high level of power amplification and an on-board SIGINT processing capability.
The Israeli air force says flight testing of the 4t Eitan air vehicle - also referred to as the Heron TP - will continue through 2008, and that once this has been completed, it intends to put the design into series production.
Two of the air force's IAI Heron 1 UAVs are meanwhile being adapted for use as maritime patrol aircraft. The modified systems will start operational duties later this year, initially alongside the Israeli navy's IAI Westwind 1124 Seascan aircraft, but later replacing them.
The air force-flown UAVs will be equipped with Elta Systems maritime search radars and stabilised long-range optical systems from IAI's Tamam division, with navy personnel to operate their maritime payloads.
