The potential demand for mini-unmanned air vehicles has prompted another Israeli company to enter the nation's crowded domestic market.
ITL Optronics, one of the country's electro-optical manufacturers, has unveiled its Lightener air vehicle, which president and chief executive Eli Venezia says could be offered to meet an operational requirement within the Israel defence forces.
The 1.4m (4.6ft)-long Lightener has a 2.5m wingspan, a maximum take-off weight of 5.5kg (12.1lb), an operating ceiling of 10,000ft and a maximum speed of around 40kt (75km/h). The mini-UAV has a current endurance of 2-3h, although ATL says this performance will increase with the use of more advanced batteries.
The air vehicle is equipped with a daylight camera, with a night-time payload available as an option, and can be hand- or bungee-launched before performing fully autonomous sorties.
Source: Flight International
