Fit for secret operations
Photo: Michael Kramer
IAF presents UAVs of the future
Next generation of drones revealed by IDF includes Eitan, largest UAV to be used by air force, and Efroni – the smallest
The Israel Air Force presented Monday its next generation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Eitan, the force's largest UAV, and Efroni – the smallest.
Eitan, a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV is in the final stages of development and should be operational within a year. According to Major Eli Katz, the officer in charge of the craft's development, Eitan is equal in size to a Boeing 737 and can carry up to 1 ton of equipment.
"This is the biggest, most sophisticated UAV built in the country," he stated.
Eitan (Photo: Michael Kremmer)
The UAV weighs 4.5 tons and can climb to an altitude of 45,000 feet. It can stay in the air for up to 24 hours and travel very long distances. Despite its size it is very quiet and can therefore be used in secret operations.
Another UAV launched Monday was the Efroni, which is considered the smallest craft used by the IAF since it became operations six months ago.
Efroni (Photo: Reuters)
Efroni is mainly used to assist pinpoint operations of ground units.
The IDF uses the UAVs in a range of missions, and they will soon be employed for over-sea aerial patrols, a task that was until recently reserved for manned aircrafts only.
