Australia has confirmed it will be launch customer for Israel Aircraft Industries’ (IAI) I-View 250 unmanned air vehicle, with two systems to enter service in 2008.
It follows a review of the army’s Joint Project 129 (JP129) tactical UAV requirement after Australia’s national security committee last month approved the I-View purchase, overturning a Department of Defence recommendation to buy the AAI/BAE Systems Australia Shadow 200B (Flight International, 15-21 November 2005).
Australian defence minister Robert Hill says the JP129 deal is expected to be worth up to A$145 million ($110 million), but the total cost will be determined in final contract negotiations.
IAI is offering a range of mission payloads for the 250kg (550lb) air vehicle, possibly including electro-optical, synthetic-aperture radar, electronic support measures and communications intelligence sensors. The I-View 250 has 6-8h endurance at altitudes up to 17,500ft (5,300m) and uses an automatic launch and controlled parafoil flight-recovery system.
The company is teamed with Boeing Australia, which will use the project to support development of a UAV centre of excellence in Queensland, where the state government recently announced plans for a civil UAV development centre in Brisbane and a UAV flight range at Kingaroy.
This is Australia’s third UAV acquisition since early 2004, with DoD records revealing it bought at least two Aerovironment Raven systems – believed to have been delivered to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation – under an A$480,000 deal. Canberra has also signed a A$1.6 million deal for 10 Elbit Systems Skylark UAV systems.
PETER LA FRANCHI/CANBERRA
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ARIE EGOZI IN TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
