The Eagle is flown by a team from IAI, EADS, and ELTA Systems from a high-security restricted-access airstrip near Changi airport. Flight Daily News was allowed exclusive access to the site.
An ''external'' pilot at the airstrip controls the Eagle during take-off and landing using a hand-held set which looks remarkably like the boxes used to fly radio-controlled hobby aircraft.
Airborne control is handled by an ''internal'' pilot, in a Portakabin, using a joystick. Both communicate with the aircraft via extremely high-frequency (4,000Mhz) C-band radio control.
The Eagle can also be controlled via satellite, with range limited only by fuel. In the cabin with the internal pilot, at a console configured for three people, are up to two sensor operators, depending on payload.
IAI and EADS are believed to be developing automatic take-off and landing capabilities, which are already being tested with the French armed forces, one of of the latest customers for the Eagle. This capability will eliminate the need for an external pilot.
The Eagle is based on the IAI Heron UAV platform - it is designated Eagle where it has the EADS involvement. It is 8.5m in length and has a wingspan of 16.6m. In its basic configuration it has a maximum take-off weight of 1,100kg (2,430lb) including a payload of 250kg. It takes off in less than 800m.
Source: Flight Daily News
