SILVER ARROW, the Israeli unmanned-air-vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, has unveiled two new systems at the Paris air show. The Darter is aimed at front-line combat units, while the Colibri is for training UAV operators.
The Darter has a wingspan and length of just under, 4m. Its claimed mission radius is 90km (50nm), with 10h endurance. The UAV is launched by a vehicle-carried bungee launcher and is parachute-recovered.
The smaller Colibri has been developed to enable the training of UAV operators in all the sections of an unmanned-platform flight envelope.
Silver Arrow has also announced the development of an upgraded version of its Hermes-450. The new Hermes-750 is scheduled to be flown in January 1996.The aircraft will have a maximum take-off weight of 750kg and an endurance of over 30h.
Leading defence-electronics producer Elbit, which has a 50% holding in Silver Arrow, has announced separately that it is to form a UAV division to develop mission systems.
Source: Flight International
