Israel's IAI Eitan ("steadfast") Umanned Armored Vehicle

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

This has the wingspan the same as a Boeing 747. It is likely this is what hit the Pentagon on 9/11/2001. SPC likely works closely with IAI.

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IAI Eitan


Role    Reconnaissance UAV
National origin    Israel
Manufacturer    IAI
First flight    ca. 2004
Introduced    Gaza War[1]
Developed from    IAI Heron
External images
   IAI Eitan (Heron TP)

The IAI Eitan (איתן – "steadfast"), also known as Heron TP, is a reconnaissance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) developed in Israel in the early 21st century by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries.[2] Its general configuration resembles that of the IAI Heron, but it is a considerably larger aircraft. Indeed, in 2007, various media sources claimed it to be the largest unmanned aircraft in the world[3] A medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAV,[4] the Eitan can operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic[4] and features all-weather capability,[4] de-icing systems,[5] automatic takeoff and landing (ATOL) systems,[4] and triple-redundant avionics.[4] It is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with wings of high aspect ratio. Booms extend rearward from the wings and carry twin tails that are joined by a common horizontal stabiliser. The main units of the tricycle undercarriage retract into the tail booms, and the nosewheel retracts into the fuselage. A single turboprop engine is mounted in the rear fuselage, driving a pusher propeller. Construction throughout is of composite materials.[2]

In April 2004, the Israeli Air Force magazine announced the existence of the programme and reported that two prototypes were already flying.[6] In March the following year, US company Aurora Flight Sciences announced a joint venture to market the aircraft under the name Orion.[6] Aurora hoped to have a machine flying during 2007, but by the middle of that year, the company had not released anything further about the project.[6] Meanwhile reports emerged of a "first flight" for the Eitan in Israel on 15 July 2006, despite the previous reports that the aircraft had already been flying two years previously.[6] In late January 2007, Yedioth Ahronoth reported yet another seemingly contradictory announcement, which indicated that the maiden flight was to take place in the coming days.[3]

The Eitan was publicly unveiled at a media event at Tel Nof Airbase on 8 October 2007.[7][8] The sensors fitted on this occasion included a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mounted in a pod on the aircraft's belly, a multi-sensor payload carried under its nose, and two conformal signals intelligence (SIGINT) arrays.[7] Additional sensors may be carried at the ends of the tail booms.[8] Analysis of the configuration presented to the media suggests an aircraft intended for deep penetration roles and on-board SIGINT processing capability.[7] However, at the media event an IAF official stated that IAI and the IAF had tested "all kinds of payloads, in all kinds of configuration schemes."[8] Apart from its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role, the Eitan may also be used for aerial refuelling, and armed roles including missile defence[3][5] and long-range strategic strike[9]

The Israeli Air Force planned to continue test flights of the Eitan throughout 2008, possibly leading to a production order.[2][7] If so, the Eitan could enter service in 2009.[8][9]

There are reports that Israel deployed Eitans in its alleged strike against a Gaza-bound Iranian arms convoy traveling through Sudan.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAI_Eitan

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

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I-View
I-View 250
Role    Reconnaissance UAV
National origin    Israel
Manufacturer    IAI

The IAI I-View (Eye-View in some sources [1]) is a small reconnaissance UAV developed in Israel in the early 21st century. Like other UAVs produced by IAI, it has fixed landing gear and a pusher propeller, with an 18.6 kW (25 hp) piston engine. It has a unique arrangement, with a tail-boom mounted on the top rear of the fuselage that ends in an inverted vee tail. The Eye-View is also being promoted in civilian markets for forest-fire warning, and in this form is appropriately known as the FireBird.

In December 2006, the I-View was selected as the winning tender in the JP129 requirement to provide a reconnaissance UAV for the Australian Defence Force.[2][3] The contract for the project was canceled in September 2008 as result of technical problems before any UAVs were delivered.[4]

Under a $50 million deal, signed in April, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply Russia with some of its second-tier UAVs, including the Bird-Eye 400 mini-UAV, the I-view MK150 tactical UAV and the Searcher Mk II medium-range UAV. This is the first Israeli sale of military platforms to Russia.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAI_I-View