Israeli drones

[DavidSling]

Israel is considered the largest exporter of drones. Between 2010 and 2014, it delivered 165 units across the globe. The US came second with 132, followed by Italy’s 37.
Since 1985, Israel has accounted for the majority (60.7%) of drone exports worldwide. Despite China’s move into armed UAV exports, it only supplied 0.9% of total exports during this last couple of decades.
According to many foreign forces, Israeli drones are armed with hellfire and spike missiles, altho the Israeli goverment didn't admit nor denied possesing such capabilities
So what drones does Israel has ?
Main ones are :
IAI Heron TP (Eitan) - an advanced, multi-purpose MALE UAS with an extended performance envelope and a variety of payloads capability.
The Heron TP was designed as a multi-purpose, multi-system platform to address local and international customers' needs and to perform a variety of strategic missions with a high level of reliability.
The HERON TP main features and capabilities are:
Multi mission platform with multiple operational configurations
Large internal volume for a variety of payloads
Simultaneous and flexible operation of payloads
All weather capability
Operation above commercial traffic
Satellite communication for extended range (SATCOM)
Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety
Triple, fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics
Retractable landing gear
Safe, reliable and easy operation
Payloads
EO/IR/LRF
SAR
MPR
ELINT
COMINT
ESM
Data Links
Line of Sight
Satellite communication (SATCOM)
Performance
Endurance: 36 hr
Range: Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) with SATCOM
Altitude: 45,000 ft
Weights
Max take-off weight: 4,650 kg
Typical mission payload: 1,000 kg
Dimensions
Overall length 14 m
Wingspan 26 m
Engine: 1,200 hp Turbo Prop

IAI Heron (known as shoval or machatz 1) - a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS for strategic and tactical missions
The HERON main features and capabilities are:
Safe, reliable and easy operation
Simultaneously 6 sensors use capability
Satellite communication for extended range (SATCOM)
Two proven simultaneous Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety
Fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics
Retractable landing gear
Payloads
Electro Optical (TV & IR Combi or Triple Sensor TV/IR/LD)
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR)
COMINT & ESM capability
Customer furnished sensor suites
Communication relay package
Integrated ATC Radio
Datalinks
Direct Line-of-Sight (LOS) data link
UAV airborne data relay (ADR) for beyond LOS missions
Ground-based data relay (GDR) for beyond LOS missions
Satellite communication
Performance
Endurance: > 40 hr
Range: 350 km
Range with satellite coverage: Beyond Line of Sight
Altitude: 30,000 ft
Technical Data
Weights
Maximum take-off weight: 1,250 kg
Maximum Payload Weight: 250 Kg
Dimensions
Overall Length: 8.50 m
Wingspan: 16.60 m

Elbit Hermes 900(kochav) - Sharp senses, lethal bite Elbit System’s Hermes® 900 UAS is equipped with a variety of high performance sensors, allowing it to detect ground or maritime .targets, over a wide spectral range Hermes® 900 provides over the horizon, persistent multi-payload .capabilities It is based on the proven and mature building blocks of Elbit System’s Hermes® family setting the highest levels of .airworthiness, safety & reliability Latest MALE UAS procured by the IDF & by multiple international user.

Major Features
Highly autonomous & mission effective
Multiple hard points & 250 Kg modular installation bay
Satellite Communication & LOS Data Link
Adverse weather capabilities
Designed for minimal maintenance
Wide variety of cutting edge payloads :
EO/IR/Laser Designator, Long Range EO/IR
SAR/GMTI & MPR + AIS
ELINT, EW, COMINT, COMJAM
Wide Area Surveillance / Mapping
Hyper Spectral
Communication Relay
Other
Take-off weight 1,180 kg
Max Payload 350 kg
Endurance up to 36 hours
Service Ceiling 30,000 ft

Elbit Hermes 450 - A multi-role high performance tactical UAS and the primary platform of the IDF in counter-terror operations, Hermes 450 is a mature and combat proven UAS with over 300,000 operational flight hours and a class leading safety and reliability record.
Hermes 450 incorporates cutting edge payloads with selected dual-payload configurations. Choice of payloads includes EO/IR/Laser, SAR/GMTI & MPR, COMINT/COMMJAM, ELINT, hyper-spectral systems, large area scanning systems and other payloads. Hermes 450’s highly autonomous and ergonomic operation results in high mission effectiveness with no piloting skills required.
The system is easily mobilized and rapidly deployable. Mission management is performed via the HermesGCS. Hermes 450 can perform two concurrent missions from the same GCS using two2 GDTs.
As you read these lines, there are bound to be over 20 At any given time numerous Hermes UAVs UAS are airborne performing for operational missions worldwide. Hermes 450 is the basis for the UK WATCHKEEPER program.

Performance:
Take-off weight 550 kg
Max Payload 180 kg
Endurance 17 hours
Service Ceiling 18,000 ft
Range 300 km

IAI Harpy - is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. The Harpy is designed to attack radar systems and is optimised for the SEAD role. It carries a high explosivewarhead. The Harpy has been sold to several foreign nations, including South Korea, Turkey, India, and China.
General characteristics
Length: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Powerplant: 1 × UEL AR731 Wankel rotary engine, 28 kW (38 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn)
Range: 500 km (311 mi; 270 nmi)
Armament
1 × 32 kg (70 lb) high-explosive warhead

The IAI Harop (or IAI Harpy 2) - an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) developed by the MBT division of Israel Aerospace Industries. Rather than holding a separate high-explosivewarhead, the drone itself is the main munition. This SEAD-optimised UCAV is designed to loiter the battlefield and attack targets by self-destructing into them.

General characteristics
Crew: None
Length: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Performance
Range: 1000 km ( miles)
Endurance: 6 hours 0 min
Armament
23 kg (51 lb) warhead

Skylark - The Elbit Systems Skylark I and Skylark II are small Miniature UAVs developed by Elbit Systems.
Skylark I
The Skylark I is a Miniature UAV. It is designed as a manpacked system for tactical surveillance and reconnaissance. The Skylark is launched by hand. The payload consists of a daylight CCD or optional FLIR for night operations. During operation, it sends real-time video to a portable ground station. Recovery involves a deep stall maneuver, landing on a small inflatable cushion. It has a range of 20/40 km.
The Skylark is in operation with the militaries of Australia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden. It has been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.The Skylark I has also been selected by France's Special Forces in March 2008.In total, it has been selected by more than 20 operators worlwide.
Skylark II
The Skylark II was unveiled in 2006. It has a range of 60 km and is designed to be operated by a two-person crew and to be deployed using HMMWV class field vehicles. In December 2007, South Korea decided to purchase the Skylark II system. Israel planned to bring the Skylark II into service by mid-2013.

Super Heron (yet to get into the IDF) - the new and latest Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MALE UAS) made by IAI/Malat. The Super Heron was added as a link between the Heron and the Heron TP UAV systems.
The main features of the Super Heron are the following:
A new advance propulsion system specifically developed for the Super Heron with a 200 Hp heavy fuel (diesel) engine and fuel injection compared to the 100 Hp gasoline engine of the Heron UAV.
Fuselage and wings changes:
Provision for large and heavy payloads
Provision for a large SATCOM antenna.
5% lower drag for flight efficiency
Subsystems upgrade:
Advanced avionics, triple redundancy and advanced computerized systems
Advanced communication system including SATCOM for BLOS communication
Multiple hard points for various payloads (fuel tanks, Sigint, radar and more).
Improved performance
Increased maximum speed
Increased rate of climb
Payload weight - up to 450 kg.
Latest technology and Advanced production methods result in:
Growth potential (volume, processing capability, electrical power)
Reduced weight
Improved repeatability
Multiple operational configurations for intelligence, maritime patrol, persistent surveillance
Multi sensor capability - up to six simultaneously
Proven safe, dual automatic takeoff and landing system (ATOL).
Retractable landing gear

Payloads - up to six operating simultaneously
EO/IR/LRF/Laser designator
SAR/MPR
Hyper spectral
ELINT
COMINT
COM Relay
Comjam
Comint GSM
Scanner
Mapping
Customer furnished sensor suits
Communication Relay package
Data links
Advance direct line of sight (LOS) data kink
Advanced Satellite Communication (SATCOM) for BLOS missions
UAV airborne data relay (ADR) for BLOS missions
Ground based data relay (GDR) for BLOS missions
Performance
Endurance: Up to 45 hours
Mission radius LOS: 250 km
Mission radius with ADR or GDR: 350 km
Mission radius with SATCOM: > 1,000 km
Altitude ceiling: > 30,000 ft
Loiter speed: 60-80 kTAS
Max speed: >150 kTAS
Technical Data
Weights
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): 1,450 kg
Payload weight: Up to 450 kg.
Dimensions
Wingspan: 17 m

Altho many more drones are manufacture and produce by the Israeli industries

Sources : Israeli Aerospace Industries website, Elbit website,Wikipedia

 

[Signalian]

Israelis have impressive weapons. They now use indeginous tech after decades of experience on American technology.

 

[DavidSling]

Many articles suggest the use of Israeli UCAV started along time ago ( around a decade/decade and a half)

IDF believed to be using armed UAVs
While J'lem doesn't admit to possessing UAVs, it's been reported that Israel has been using them for nearly a decade.

Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 UAV 370 . (photo credit:Elbit Systems)

It has been seen in public, filmed by Palestinians in Gaza and displayed at international air shows.
What is it? According to foreign reports, the IDF uses armed unmanned aerial vehicles to attack targets in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinians even have a name for it – Waziz – a reference to the buzzing sound the UAVs make as they fly over the Gaza Strip.
While Jerusalem does not admit to possessing armed UAVs, it has been reported in the rest of the world that Israel has been using them for nearly a decade.
In 2006, for example, there were a number of reports regarding the use of armed UAVs in the Second Lebanon War against Hezbollah targets. One article speculated that the missiles fired by the UAVs were from the Spike family, manufactured by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Rafael has publicly pushed Spike as a weapons option for UAV. At the Paris Air Show in 2005, for example, Sagem – a leading French defense contractor – displayed its Sperwer UAV armed with a Spike missile.
Another example was displayed at the DSEI defense expo in London in 2011 when Thales suspended from the ceiling a Watchkeeper UAV with two missiles hanging from its wings. The Watchkeeper is used by the British Army and is based on Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450, which is also in extensive use in the Israel Air Force. Some of the drones are also operated by the IDF’s Artillery Corps.
In 2009, on the sidelines of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, there were reports that Israeli drones had flown to Sudan where they attacked a truck convoy carrying weapons – including long-range Iranian missiles – on its way to resupply Hamas forces.
The advantage of using armed UAVs is quite obvious – no risk to pilots, a smaller radar signature due to the smaller size of the aircraft in comparison to a standard fighter jet and the ability to fire small missiles that are suitable for targeted killings with limited collateral damage.
Israel is a world leader in the development of UAVs.
In 2010, Israeli companies sold $1 billion worth of UAVs and associated equipment around the world, and five different NATO countries – Germany, Australia, Spain, France and Canada – were flying Israeli-made drones in Afghanistan.
In the IAF, UAVs make up around a third of the force’s overall annual flight hours.
It also produces a couple hundred hours of visual intelligence on a daily basis, which then have to be processed and cataloged.

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/IDF-believed-to-be-using-armed-UAVs

 

[DavidSling]

Israel's USVs (unmanned surface vehicle)
Rafael Protector - an integrated naval combat system, based on unmanned, autonomous, remotely controlled surface vehicles. Highly maneuverable and stealthy, the Protector can conduct a wide spectrum of critical missions, without exposing personnel and capital assets to unnecessary risk.
The Protector's anti-terror mission module payload includes sensors and weapon systems. The search radar and the Toplite electro-optical (EO) pod enable detection, identification and targeting operations. The weapon systems are based on Rafael's Typhoon remote-controlled, stabilized weapon station, capable of operating various small caliber guns. The highly accurate, stabilized weapon station has excellent hit-and-kill probability.
Protector is mission reconfigurable through its plug-and-play design, allowing utilization of various mission modules:

• Anti-terror Force Protection (AT/FP)
• Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
• Naval warfare: ASW, MIW, MCM, ASUW, EW
• Maritime, Port Security

Features and Benefits:

• Unmanned, highly autonomous, remote controlled
• Stealthy, highly maneuverable
• Reconfigurable mission modules

IAI Katana - IAI's KATANA USV combat marine system.
The KATANA unmanned surface vessel (USV) supports a wide range of applications for HLS and the protection of exclusive economic zones, including - harbor security, patrol of shallow coastal and territorial waters, surface and electronic warfare and offshore platform protection (plus oil rigs, pipelines, and more).
The KATANA, as a multifunction vessel, is compatible with IAI's various systems and supports a totally integrated solution. This features unmanned capabilities which provide a response for the entire range of naval applications and revolutionizes maritime operations.
The system's dual operational mode allows for fully autonomous capabilities, controlled via an advanced command and control station, as well as for a manned combat operational mode. Based on a proven operational implementation of a USV system, the KATANA allows for the execution of a wide variety of missions. It can provide an early-warning situation picture, classifying, identifying and tracking targets - including those far away, and eventually intercepting them if required.
KATANA's features include autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, advanced control system and more. The vessel is equipped with various payloads (including electro-optical), communication systems, radio (Line of Site, LOS, or NLOS), radar and weapon systems. The systems' modular design allows for configuration adjustments and operational flexibility, as well as for adaptation to customer's requirements and needs.

Elbit Silver Marlin - an unmanned naval vehicle for maritime patrol missions equipped with a weapon station as well as observation and communication systems, which is capable of autonomous operation in ranges up to 500 km. Called "Silver Marlin", the USV is designated for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, force protection/anti-terror missions, anti-surface and anti-mine warfare, search and rescue missions, port and waterway patrol as well as electronic warfare.
The Silver Marlin is a second generation USV and differs from those developed to date.
While most currently available USVs are remote-controlled, the Silver Marlin is an autonomous USV. The second generation Silver Marlin is fully capable of performing complete missions independently, such as: departing and returning to homeport and maintaining an observation point.
The autonomous system is designed for optimal performance on low-level control activities such as optimal turning rate, optimal speed for fuel consumption, and accurate sailing and navigation with cruise sensors and stabilization systems to prevent capsizing. It has an adaptive feature, capable of self-tuning the control system in response to environmental or mission changes.
Elbit Systems took advantage of mission management systems originally developed for UAVs and modified them for the USV naval system, to overcome marine-related communication and LOS barriers. Elbit Systems is also developing an obstacle avoidance system for the Silver Marlin. In addition, the company is currently developing the Autonomous Helmsman system: an expert system using heuristic methods for autonomous high-level decision making, which will allow a completely external intervention-free mission operation.
Elbit Systems is a leading company for unmanned platforms development worldwide. Its UAVs are in-service all over the globe and the award-winning Avant Garde unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) executes security missions using an autonomous program.
Elbit Systems was able to deliver an advanced product in a short period of time because it is a multi-faceted and integrated company having unique experience and exploits a high-level of intra-company cooperation.

Silver Marlin Technical Specs are:

• 35 ft (10.67 m) length
• 4,000 kg platform weight
• 2,500 kg payload capability
• Maximum speed of 45 kt.
• Endurance of 24 hours
• Compact Multi-Purpose Advanced Stabilized System (CoMPASS) sensor turret
• CCD TV camera
• 35 micron FLIR
• Laser: Aiming, Rangefinder, Designator and Target Illuminator
• Small boat detection – 6km; medium -16km; aircraft – 15km
• Range of 500 n miles
• 7.62 mm Overhead Remote Control Weapon System – day/night and fire-on-the-move.

Israel's UGV (unmanned ground vehicle)

IAI & Elbit Gnius Guardium - Straight from the Israeli Army operational laboratories, where it went through extensive operational trial and evaluation, the Guardium UGV™ revolutionizes the effectiveness and utility of perimeter security and represents a long awaited breakthrough in combat applications such as force protection, combat support, combat logistics support, convoy security and more.

Employing state-of-the-art technologies and various combinations of payloads, the Guardium UGV™ could be deployed in either closed perimeter sites, such as airports, energy plants and other strategic assets, or as a border patrol and protection apparatus.
In combat support missions, the Guardium UGV™ command & control subsystem could be seamlessly integrated with User’s available C4I infrastructure, fixed or mobile, to enable the force commander to effectively combine it within its fighting and support formations.
The Guardium UGV™ was designed to perform routine missions, such as programmed patrols along a perimeter, but also to react to unscheduled events, in line with a of set of guidelines specifically programmed for the site characteristics and security routines.
The Guardium UGV™ complies with ongoing military and industry standards, for which it was exhaustively trialed over thousands of operational hours.
The Guardium UGV™ system is an inclusive solution, comprising the vehicles, a dedicated command and control application, a customer tailored communication suite, a modular selection of payloads and a comprehensive logistic support package.
Technologically versatile and robust solution, the Guardium UGV™ avionic suite could easily be migrated to different types of vehicles, based on the customer's preferences.

Guardium UGV™ Unmanned Ground System – General Characteristics:

Vehicle Level

• Autonomous mission execution;
• Real-time, self-ruling, obstacle’s detection and avoidance;
• Proven fail-safe system;
• Superb off-road maneuverability.

System Level

• 
  
  
  • A variety of customer tailored wireless communication solutions;
  • Easy to operate, dedicated commandf & control application, in complementary operational versions: stationary, mobile and portable;
  • Built-in debriefing and training capabilities;
  • Full compliance with the JAUS standard (Level III).

Mission Level

• Modular selection of payloads for comprehensive situational awareness, in multi-spectral domains. Payloads’ package may include: EO/IR camera, ECM/ESM, Hostile Fire Indicator (HFI), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), Laser Warning System (LWS), two-way audio link, chemical snifters, RFID Interrogator, fire extinguishers and more;
• Versatile mission system and vehicle’s capabilities provide flexibility in adapting the Guardium UGV™ to changing operational requirements and migrating the system amongst diverse homeland security, force protection and combat support applications;
• 24/7, all weather – all terrain, persistent and flawless operation.

 

[DavidSling]

UAV’s Role In Protecting The EEZ
By ARIE EGOZI

The use of the definition Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has become common in recent years. Countries understood that there are many threats on their maritime natural treasures and wanted to draw a line that will make it easier to protect these treasures.
In order to protect something that belongs to a country but is located a good distance from the shore, you need surveillance – a persistent one.
Maritime surveillance requirements, are demanding specific capabilities and performance such as mission endurance, flight profiles, mission equipment and human factors.
Until recently, such missions were performed exclusively by aircraft – some dedicated for the maritime surveillance mission, with others using off-the-shelf transport planes modified for the mission. These missions typically demand coverage of very wide areas, monitoring extensive maritime traffic, as well as deployment in unexpected conditions, in response to emergencies or on search and rescue missions. Therefore, the need for efficient development of a maritime situational picture is critical, enabling the deployment of the few available aerial assets to cover only those areas or targets of significance.
The introduction of unmanned air vehicles systems (UAV) is changing this paradigm, removing the limitations that have restricted manned missions, while introducing new capabilities that significantly enhance operational flexibility and efficiency of maritime control. This capability is specifically important in recent years, as countries are required to cover growing maritime areas claimed by the EEZ. These can be located up to 200 nautical miles from their coastline or farthest island. In the case of India, for example, such area covers a huge expanse of the Indian Ocean, bordering Indonesia in the east to Somalia in the west. A country cannot cover such vast space from its coastal radar stations, nor can it commit manned patrol flights to cover the entire area.
The Israeli UAV manufacturers have developed special payloads that are carried by long endurance platforms and gradually replace the manned platforms.

- See more at: UAV's Role In Protecting The EEZ - i-HLS

 

[Zek]

IAI's Heron-1 UAS Reaches 70K Operational Flight Hours in Afghanistan
After less than 7 years of operation in Afghanistan, used by several Western NATO members, including Germany, France Canada and Australia, IAI's Heron-1 marked its 70,000th flight hour

Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron-1 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) recently marked its 70,000th flight hour in Afghanistan, after less than 7 years of operation in the country. This follows Heron's completion of 25,000 flight hours last month under German Air Force operations in Afghanistan.

After successful use in Afghanistan by several Western NATO members, including Germany, France Canada and Australia, this milestone demonstrates Heron's compatibility with challenging conditions in various areas around the world.

Heron-1 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS that provides crucial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information in real-time to commanders and frontline soldiers. It has significant capabilities, such as carrying a wide variety of sensors, which are able to provide real-time information over a wide area for an extended period.

In an announcement from the Australian Ministry of Defense, Senator David Johnston, the Australian Minister of Defense said: “The Heron is a proven capability – providing 'eyes in the sky' for our troops in the Middle East. The retention of the system following their withdrawal from Afghanistan will ensure that Australia remains at the forefront of this advancing technology."

Shaul Shahar, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of IAI’s Military Aircraft Group, said: "The remarkable number of operational flight hours in Afghanistan demonstrates Heron's reliability and unique operational availability in a variety of missions in ground, maritime and aerial arenas."

IAI's UAS have reached over 1.35 million flight hours used by more than 50 global customers. The Heron family alone has accumulated more than 250,000 operational flight hours worldwide.
IAI's Heron-1 UAS Reaches 70K Operational Flight Hours in Afghanistan | Israel Defense

 

[Zek]

Watch The Israeli Robots Even The Pentagon Wants
Israeli startup Roboteam Ltd snubbed the big competitors in the field – iRobot Corp, QinetiQ North America, and others – to land a US$25 million contract with the Pentagon, its second order for the US military in two years.

Roboteam designs and manufactures a small, portable, stair-climbing robot that can see around corners and detect booby traps. The robot, designed in Israel and manufactured in Bethesda, Maryland, is made to assist SWAT teams combat terrorists in city areas, as well as protect soldiers from improvised explosives in rural combat zones such Afghanistan and Iraq.

“All around the world, terrorism looks the same, whether it’s ISIS, or in Israel, France or Chechnya,” says Yosi Wolf, Roboteam’s co-founder and co-CEO. “Fighting terrorism is urban warfare where carrier ships and war planes are a lot less relevant. This is where special forces make the difference and these robots can be game-changers.”

The smallest robot, IRIS, weighs just 1.36 kg. It’s light enough to be thrown into a building, where it can capture and relay video surveillance to forces waiting to enter a potentially dangerous location.

PROBOT, the largest bot, weighs 230 kg and has a carrying capacity of 750 kg. With travel speeds of 8.5 km/h it can serve as an invaluable tool to assist patrols in carrying equipment.

“In the threats we face today, with these coordinated attacks like in Boston and in San Bernardino, equipment like Roboteam’s and others gives us a huge capability to assist in responding,” says Eric Gahagan, an officer with the Massachusetts police bomb squad that responded to the Boston Marathon Attack. “We can send a robot to take a peek at what might be suspicious,” he says.

- See more at: Watch The Israeli Robots Even The Pentagon Wants - i-HLS

 

[Force Awakens]

We will soon get IAI Eitan UCAVS.

 

[Zek]

We will soon get IAI Eitan UCAVS.

It was reported that Heron struck in Sudan few times in the past
"One report stated that Israel deployed Eitans in its alleged 2009 airstrike against an alleged Gaza-bound Iranian arms convoy traveling through Sudan.[10]
The IDF does not comment on the arming of drones, but reports describe the Eitan being used for “armed roles” with missiles “attached to wing hardpoints,” as well as for target acquisition.[15] Used allegedly during several operations, will help government-owned IAI market its latest drone models as “combat-proven systems.”[16] The Eitan was allegedly the center of some controversy in Operation Protective Edge in 2014, such as eliminating the Joudeh family on Aug. 24, 2014, near the end of the conflict. The family was in front of its house, near its pomegranate and orange trees, at 4 p.m. An Israeli drone operator decided to take it out, although no weapons or fighting were nearby. The mother, Rawya Joudeh, and four of her children aged 6-14 were killed, and a leg was taken off her fifth child.[17] In a November 2014 interview on Eitan use in Gaza, an Israeli drone commander given the name of “Major Yair” admitted to “wrong calls.”[18]"
Distance between Israel and Sudan is: 2079 KM or 1292 miles

 

[Zek]

The world of UAV's will never look the same: the "Kochav" UAV is landing in the IAF bigger and stronger than ever. We can't expose all its secrets, but you can find some of them here: The Israeli Air Force : The "Hermes 900" - operational again

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1040842869292018

 

[DavidSling]

AirMule First Free Flight

The Israeli designed AirMule fan craft UAV has made a first untethered light on December 30th. The flight was made in Megiddo airfield in northern Israel.

Rafi Yoeli, CEO of Tactical Robotics Ltd’s parent company Urban Aeronautics said that the test schedule in Megiddo includes plans for a demonstration of the autonomous AirMule’s cargo delivery capability aswell as a ‘beyond the line of sight’ flight along a path running through an adjacent, forested area.

Yoeli added that Tactical Robotics has achieved ‘category 2’ certification for an export variant of the aircraft known as ‘Cormorant’ under the international Missile Technology Control Regime (MCTR).

The AirMule and its ‘Cormorant’ export variant are both compact, unmanned, single engine,VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft. This one-ton aircraft is presently powered by a single, 730 shp TURBOMECA Arriel 1D1 engine.

The production aircraft will use a more powerful ARRIEL 2 variant capable of providing 985 shp at takeoff. Internal lift rotors enable the AirMule to fly inside obstructed terrain where helicopters are unable to operate. It will also be a maritime force multiplier on vessels that are too small for a standard unmanned helicopter. The ‘Cormorant’ variant will carry a 440 Kg useful load to a distance of 300 Kilometers. At closer ranges higher useful loads are possible. The maximum speed of Cormorant will be 100 Knots and it will be able to operate at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet.

- See more at: AirMule First Free Flight - i-HLS Israel Homeland Security

 

[DavidSling]

How to Operationalize a System in 24 Hours
Soldiers in mandatory service, career officers and reservists arrived at the "Hermes 450" UAV squadron in order to execute a challenging and classified mission, as a part of which the squadron members were required to operationalize a new system in an unprecedented period of time. A race against the clock
Eilon Tohar | Translation: Ohad Zeltzer Zubida

Thursday, 1:30 AM. A ring sounds from the squadron's technical officer's phone. The officer, Maj. Avi, learns about an operational mission designated for the squadron, in which it will use a new intelligence gathering system which wasn't planned to be officially operationalized by the squadron until next year.

"From that moment, a race against the clock began", remembers Maj. Avi, a few days after he carried out the complex mission. "It began with discussions, continued with bringing the system in, including the final tests, and was concluded the next day with the completion of the mission. In 24 hours the aircraft was in the air - an unprecedented period of time for the operationalization of a completely new system which was not used by the squadron before. We didn't believe we would be able to ready the aircraft so quickly".

Maj. Avi wasn't alone: by the morning, the squadron members from the flight and technical divisions were alerted and summoned to the squadron from home. From an officer who arrived quickly, through a Lt. Col. Over the age of 40 which arrived in order to provide assistance to soldiers in mandatory service determined to take part and contribute.
"I didn't hear a single complaint from any of them, everyone was devoted to the mission with a spark in their eyes. In cooperation with the officers and reservists, we were able to complete the mission in an incredibly short period of time".

"Hermes 450"

One Goal: Defending the Country
"This is a squadron with a rich history and many unique events in its past, and this is without a doubt one of them", declared Maj. L, deputy commander of the squadron. "It is no less than exceptional to operationalize an intelligence gathering system in a day and also have operational products. People arrived at the expense of their free time with one purpose in mind: defending the country".

The UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Division, one of the most operational divisions in the IAF, which is considered an evolving and developing division technologically and operationally, is ready for the possibility of leaving for a mission in any sector, at all times.

"As the deputy commander of a UAV squadron, every time that there is an escalation, I know that we are facing a complex period, but on the other hand I keep in mind that we have the best people, be it our operators, technical serviceman or reservists", adds Maj. L.

The squadron maintained full ready alert, the operational readiness was practiced and the amount of intelligence which flowed to the squadron decided the type of missions it took off on. Capt. A, one of the Squadron's deputy commanders, reports that the number of operational sorties that weekend was three times more than usual. "After all, we couldn't have executed it without the devotion of the technical crews. Every time a UAV landed, the technicians quickly approached it and prepared it for another sortie".

"Hermes 450"

http://www.iaf.org.il/4443-46095-en/IAF.aspx

 

[DavidSling]

Most likely the first photo of armed Heron TP that has been published.
Photo taken around 2009-2010 by UK,US as part of it's spy mission against the state of Israel.
Since then Israel started to better encrypt their communication according to Israeli media

 

[DavidSling]

Elbit Systems Introduces Seagull: A New Multi-Mission USV

Drawing on world class know-how derived from generations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) design, development and operation and its naval capabilities, Elbit Systems’ newest offering in the unmanned platform field is Seagull – an organic, modular, highly autonomous, multi-mission Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) system.



Seagull is a 12-meter USV with replaceable mission modules, with two vessels capable of being operated and controlled in concert using a single Mission Control System (MCS), from manned ships or from the shore.


The system provides unmanned end-to-end mine hunting operation taking the man out of the mine field. It provides mission planning, and on-line operation in known and unknown areas, including area survey, search, detection, classification, identification, neutralization and verification. It is equipped to search the entire water volume and operate underwater vehicles to identify and neutralize mines.

Seagull changes the dynamics of anti-submarine operations by creating a threat to submarines using a cost-effective and available asset, replacing and augmenting manned assets with minimal threat from submarines. It empowers a surface vessel or naval base commander with off-board, available and rapidly deployable Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities to protect critical sea areas and high-value assets from submarine as well as sea mine threats.

Incorporating Elbit Systems’ extensive experience in UAS, Seagull features a robust, highly-autonomous and safe sailing capability as well as modular mission payload suites, selected to match a variety of required missions including EW, surface force protection, hydrographical missions in addition to the core MCM and ASW missions. The sailing suite includes a patented Autonomous Navigation System (ANS), with obstacle avoidance, which considers the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

Network ready and long enduring, Seagull features inherent C4I capabilities for enhanced situation awareness and can remain at sea for over 96 hours. The Seagull multi-mission USV system offers navies a true force-multiplier in reducing risk, cost and manpower requirements in performing missions which have only been performed to date by costly manned assets.

- See more at: Elbit Systems Introduces Seagull: A New Multi-Mission USV - i-HLS Israel Homeland Security
@500 @mike2000 is back @Blue Marlin @PARIKRAMA @Adir-M

 

[Skillrex]

awesome thread.. =)