Israel is seeking US funding for the development of its Boost Phase Launcher Intercept (BPLI) unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The UAV would target ballistic missiles in the early phases of launch.
Israel had planned to pay for development of the large UAV with its own funds, but development costs are more than initially forecast. Now the Israeli defence ministry is seeking US assistance to finish development.
Sources in Israel say that a USUAV manufacturer is being sought for a co-operation deal with Israel Aircraft Industries' Malat division. Such an agreement would also give Israel access to US foreign military sales funding for the programme.
Few details are known about the BPLIUAV although it will carry sensors to detect the launch and mobile erector-launcher vehicles as well as heat seeking missiles and potentially other weapons. Rafael has studied developments of its Python 4 short-range air-to-air missile for the role.
Programme sources say the UAV will be "much bigger" than the 16.6m- (54.5ft) span Malat Heron medium altitude, long endurance UAV. Heron has a 50h endurance and a 250kg (550lb) payload. The BPLI will need at least three times the Heron payload. The UAV would be part of a layered anti-missile system which includes the IAI Arrow missile.
Source: Flight International
