Israel Air Force Introduces Newest Development: Most Advanced UAV
14:03 GMT, February 19, 2010 The Israel Air Force (IAF) introduced its newest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), named the “Eitan” on Thursday (Feb. 18). The Eitan is classified by senior IAF officers as the best of its kind in the world today. The first Eitan will be welcomed into use this Sunday (Feb. 21), by a designated squadron that has been established to operate UAVs which underwent other test flights within the IAF.
The product of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Eitan is capable of operating in the air for more than 20 hours straight at a high altitude, something which has not been within the capability of the UAVs of the IAF until now. Additionally, the turbo jet engine is equipped with 1200 horse power, and is able to carry hundreds of kilograms of equipment, at an altitude of up to forty thousand feet.
“To my knowledge, this is the most advanced UAV of its kind in the world, and it is especially well-suited for IAF missions,” explained Lt. Col. Eyal, who is the IAF officer responsible for Project Eitan. “It can complete a very wide range of missions, and adds specialized intelligence capabilities to the IAF. Very few UAVs in the world can reach its capabilities.”
Captain Omer, the Deputy Commander of the Eitan Squadron which is now in its early stages, has over 7 years flown one of the UAVs from the previous generation of those under IAF ownership. He was offered by the Squadron Commander to join in the experience of establishing a new squadron, and decided to step up to the challenge.
Cpt. Omer told the IDF Website that “The UAV contains the pinnacle of technology of industry in general. We received an asset which hides in its debt many capabilities that we recognize and even more that we will learn with the years. In past months a group of soldier sat and learned the Eitan with an open mind. The challenge standing before us is twofold: the establishment of a squadron, and the operation of a UAV which is the only one of its kind in the world. We will collect all of the knowledge and information ourselves.”
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