Posted on 02/21/2010 5:33:20 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The new drone that can remain airborne for more than 24 hours and reach as far as Iran was added Sunday to the Israeli air force's arsenal, the military said.
Described by the army as a "technological breakthrough" the Eitan -- which means strong in Hebrew -- is a Heron-TP type drone with a wingspan of 26 metres (85 feet), similar to that of the Boeing 737.
It is 24 metres (79 feet) long, weighs 4.5 tonnes and can remain in the air for more than 24 hours, enabling it to fly as far as Iran, Israel's arch-foe.
The drone was built by Israel Aerospace Industries in cooperation with the air force and is equipped with radar, cameras and high-tech electronic equipment including mapping devices.
The drone can reach an altitude of 13,000 metres (43,000 feet) and carry payloads of about one tonne.
"This aircraft constitutes a very important turning point in the development of unmanned aircraft," Air Force chief General Ido Nehustan was quoted as saying
(Excerpt) Read more at ca.news.yahoo.com ...
I hope their drone works better than the one we got a year ago.
Four and on half tons is extremely light for a plane that size. Of course, a lot of weight will go to fuel to travel for 24 hours. On the other hand, will it also be able to carry one of those huge 2,000 lb. bunker buster bombs or similar? Nice for wiping out dug in facilities.
I’ll bet ANYTHING that it can carry nukes! LOL.
It might. It looks like it can carry a small one.
Reading comprehension is a wonderful thing!
The drone can reach an altitude of 13,000 metres (43,000 feet) and carry payloads of about one tonne.
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