Free Republic

Polish troops in Afghanistan have received four of the eight UAVs bought from Israeli firm Aerostar earlier this year. The TUAV (Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a 230 kg (506 pound) aircraft that has a 50 kg (110 pound) payload, and endurance of up to twelve hours. It can operate up to 250 kilometers from the operator, and at altitudes of up to 5,800 meters (18,000 feet). Four of the TUAV will stay in Poland for training. Each TUAV costs over $3 million. The TUAV is used by fifteen nations, and is one of several Israeli UAV models (from different...

A Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle launches from its catapult just prior to an intelligence-gathering mission for 2nd Brigade Combat Team in Baqubah, Iraq. At the end of the catapult the aircraft, its Moto Guzzi engine and camera package have accelerated to over 70 knots. U.S.Army photo by Sgt. Troy Chatwin Eye in the Sky Provides Real-time Intel By U.S.Army Sgt. Troy Chatwin / 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, BAQUBAH, Iraq, Feb. 18, 2004 - From the times when Civil War commanders sent intelligence collectors hundreds of feet up and over enemy troops in...

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Gathers Intelligence in Iraq

Having better intelligence than your enemy is vital to the success of a military operation, and the current situation in Iraq is no exception. Every day, terrorists, insurgents, and members of the ousted Baath Party attempt ambushes and place improvised explosive devices intended to kill innocent civilians and coalition soldiers. To combat this, the Army has recently developed and deployed a new information gatherer – the Shadow, a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. Soldiers from the 312th and 313th Military Intelligence Battalions operate and maintain the Shadow TUAV for the 82nd Airborne Division, which is calling the Anbar province home these...