ISRAEL: Israeli army launches first operational test flight for newly developed UAV

Record ID: 397185

  • Title: ISRAEL: Israeli army launches first operational test flight for newly developed UAV
  • Date: 25th November 2005
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SHARON GOLDENBERG, A MARKETING MANAGER IN RAFAEL, THE ISRAELI COMPANY WHICH DEVELOPED THE 'SKYLITE B' UAV, SAYING: "The 'SkyLite' is very small only six kilograms and two operators can carry three UAVs X station with all the equipment which is required to conduct three full operational missions."
  • Embargoed: 10th December 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Science / Technology
  • Reuters ID: LVA835542E17JE4CSW3ZEVMPBQJO
  • Story Text: The Israeli army took a newly developed tactical mini-UAV for its first operational test flight on Monday (November 21).
    Developers, army officers and viewers gathered at an open field near the coastal city of Tel Aviv in the early hours of the morning to watch the first demonstration of the tactical UAV.
    Soldiers unpacked the toy-looking 'SkyLite B' controlling and monitoring device and within minutes assembled the mini-UAV for its first flight. One of the soldiers launched the UAV into the cloudy sky as the others sat in front of a mobile computer showing the UAV's route, controlling the UAV's moves with a joystick.
    From a control room another demonstrator sat in front of computer screen showing not only the UAV's route but also footage that was being shot by a small camera installed on the 'SkyLite B'.
    In order to demonstrate the UAV's operational abilities it was ordered to follow a car driving around the empty field in which the demonstration took place. Sharon Goldenberg, a marketing manager In Rafael, the Israeli company which developed the mini-UAV told Reuters Television that one of the SkyLite B's advantages was its 'life support' system, which enables it to stay longer and operate in the sky without falling out of power. Another advantage was its mobility.
    "The 'SkyLite B' is very small only six kilograms and two operators can carry three UAVs stations with all the equipment which is required to conduct three full operational missions," said Goldenberg. After demonstrating its various abilities, the 'SkyLite B' dived back to the field to the sound of the crowd's clapping.
    An announcement published by Rafael, the Israeli civilian armament development company which developed the 'SkyLite B' says that the UAV is mainly intended for use by infantry forces deployed up to battalion level in order to gather intelligence in various locations and weather conditions.
    Its main innovations mentioned by Rafael are the ability of landing and relaunching it, a simple operation system of advanced command modes from a ground control station and its ability of staying aloft for more that one and a half hours.
    The Israeli army said it will consider purchasing the hi-tech UAV, which will also be marketed in the United States.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register