Israel's three major manufacturers of unmanned air vehicles have each submitted proposals in a bid to meet the future requirements of the Chilean air force.
Two Aeronautics Defense Systems Aerostar UAVs were flown by Israeli crews in Chile last March over areas recovering from an earthquake. The nation's air force then asked several manufacturers to submit proposals for operational systems.
Among the Israeli bidders, Aeronautics is offering its Aerostar C, while sources suggest that Elbit Systems is promoting its Hermes 450 and may also offer its larger Hermes 900 design. Israel Aerospace Industries is also pitching its Heron system.
Chile in 1993 acquired one Boeing 707 Condor surveillance aircraft equipped with a Phalcon airborne early warning radar supplied by IAI's Elta Systems subsidiary.
Officials from the nation's air force have recently visited the three Israeli companies vying for its potential UAV order and received briefings about their respective designs.
Source: Flight International
