Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Israeli pilotless planes gathering intelligence for U.S. in Iraq
Security
(News24) Small Israeli pilotless planes are gathering intelligence for US-led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the manufacturer in a statement on Monday. Elbit Systems, one of Israel's leading defence electronics companies, said the little "Skylark" can be carried and operated by a single soldier, covering an area within a range of 10km day or night, said the company.
The statement described the Skylark as suited for "close range, beyond-the-next hill, counter-terror missions". There was no immediate comment from US military officials. Elbit said the Skylark would be unveiled to the public at the March 20-25 Australian International Airshow.
The Skylark is just one of several items of Israeli defence hardware deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier this month, state-owned arms-maker Rafael said it had won a contract to supply the US marine corps with state-of the-art armoured vehicles for use there. Military analysts said Israeli firms had long been supplying and maintaining equipment for American ground and naval forces in Iraq, although both buyers and sellers generally preferred to keep a low profile.
The statement described the Skylark as suited for "close range, beyond-the-next hill, counter-terror missions". There was no immediate comment from US military officials. Elbit said the Skylark would be unveiled to the public at the March 20-25 Australian International Airshow.
The Skylark is just one of several items of Israeli defence hardware deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Earlier this month, state-owned arms-maker Rafael said it had won a contract to supply the US marine corps with state-of the-art armoured vehicles for use there. Military analysts said Israeli firms had long been supplying and maintaining equipment for American ground and naval forces in Iraq, although both buyers and sellers generally preferred to keep a low profile.
Labels: Australian International Airshow, Elbit Systems, Israel, Rafael, Skylark
