Israel Unveils New Unmanned Spy Drone

Everyone knows that Israel is a world leader in unmanned aircraft. The following even took an IAF pilot I know by surprise....(the video below shows how amazing this aircraft really is).

The Panther’s VTOL capabilities give it the ability to takeoff and land on an unprepared area, while an automatic flight control system controls the transitions between the hovering takeoff phase to forward flight and vice versa before landing. IAI says this system eliminates the need for an external pilot and allows the craft to take off and land automatically with the click of a button on the operator console.

Itzhak Nissan, President and CEO of IAI, said: "The Panther's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, along with its effective use of changing flight dynamics, make it a unique and invaluable asset on the tactical battlefield for the Israel Defense Forces and for foreign customers. We consider the innovative technology used in this system to be ground-breaking."

The Panther, which weighs roughly 65 kg (143 lb), is powered by three ultra-quiet electrical motors that allow the craft to loiter for approximately six hours, at an altitude of up to 10,000 feet, with an operational radius of over 60 km (37 miles). The UAV carries IAI’s Mini-POP (Plug-in Optronic Payload), which consists of a day/night stabilized camera with a laser range finder, pointer or laser designator. Meanwhile, the smaller Mini Panther, which weighs up to 12 kg (26 lb), can loiter for approximately two hours and carries IAI’s Micro-POP.

The Panther control station can store up to three aircraft and can be transported on a midsize vehicle. It also includes the ground data link, the support equipment and spare parts, with two fully redundant identical consoles that are used to control the UAV’s mission. The portable Mini Panther system includes two aircraft and a command and control unit and is small enough to be carried in the backpacks of two soldiers. (GizMag)

And you wonder why Ahmadinijad Nasrallah rarely leaves his underground bunker ;)

Get a Free Phone when you visit Israel!
Ask your travel agent for details, or click here to learn more.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

New IDF Technology: The Mosquito

After blogging about the IDF Star Wars Land-speeder pilotless urban hovercraft and Robot Snake, today's feature is the IAI Micro-UAV Mosquito.

The IDF has been using unmanned drones for years to safely get up-to-date intelligence over battlefields in the Second Lebanon War and in this past winter's Cast Lead operation. They also provide daily updates from Gaza.

However, technology has managed to shrink the standard 1.5 meter long (roughly 6-8 feet) IAF drones into the new Ultra Small "Mosquito" drone.

Launched by hand using a harpoon gun type mechanism (it doesn't need a landing strip to take off), the mosquito only weighs 500 grams, can be remotely controlled up to 3 kilometers away, and can endure winds and gusts up to 25 knots.

Defense Update reports:

Demonstrated publicly in flight for the first time at the 3rd Latrun conference this week the Mosquito was launched by a unique catapult, derived from a common fishing harpoon. This apparatus was modified to launch the Mosquito effectively and reliably. The innovative use of such apparatus corresponds to new requirements emerging from the field.

The Mosquito lands using a parachute...(so you don't need a landing strip either)

Cool Stuff. (More on the X-hawk next week...) Photos from the Defense-Update

Update: Apparently Hamas & Hizbolla scientists are hard at work trying to come up with military technology solutions against the IAI Mosquito.

They have revealed their latest Iz-Adin-Al-Aqsa "Mosquito Killer" prototype which they claim will knock out any pesky Zionist mosquito.

They are also providing the following bio-chemical agent for their operatives, claiming its effective against IAI technology (and safe to drink).


IAI representatives have refused to comment.

hat-tip: rotter

Earn El Al tickets to Israel and other rewards with the HAS Advantage Credit Card!

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד