Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has begun operating the Elbit Systems Skylark-2 unmanned air system (UAS) along the border with Egypt, as part of an overall effort to foil attempts by terrorists to enter Israel from the Sinai desert.
IDF selected Skylark-2 as its brigade-level UAS after rival bidder Israel Aerospace Industries failed to be ready with its tilt-rotor Panther UAS.
Skylark-2 is designed for data collection and target marking at mission ranges exceeding 60km (30nm).
Its 9kg (20lb) payload includes a colour CCD day camera, a third-generation thermal imaging night camera, and a laser illuminator.
Range is 60km, with a 4h endurance. Skylark-2 has a maximum ceiling of 15,000ft (4,500m) and maximum take-off weight of 65kg.
Source: Flight International