The Israeli ministry of defence will soon issue a tender for a brigade-level unmanned air vehicle to support Israeli infantry units.
The preceding request for proposals calling for a sophisticated system in the 50kg (110lb) weight category with "enhanced capabilities" attracted proposals - which one industry source described as "very interesting" - from Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems and Aeronautics.
In late 2008, the Elbit Skylark I LE won Israel's competition for the battalion level UAV.
The hand or rail-launched Skylark features electric propulsion, a 2.9m (9.5ft) wingspan, 6.3kg maximum take-off weight, 3h endurance and 8nm (15km) mission radius, operational altitude of 9,850ft and Controp gyrostabilised payload.
Source: Flight International
