18 June 2010

New Israeli Drone Capable of Striking Iran

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Israel recently rolled-out the latest version of what's already considered the world's best unmanned aircraft, the IAI Heron. The new Israeli drone -dubbed Heron TP (Eitan in Hebrew)- has a wingspan almost as long as a Boeing 737... can stay in the air for over 36 hours... and is more than capable of reaching Iran.
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The 4.5 ton Heron TP carries a one-ton payload of bombs or missiles, and Iran's nuclear facilities are well within it's offensive range. But AWACS-style recon would be it's most logical role, as Israel is likely to to use manned and unmanned aircraft together on missions: Heron TP not only jams enemy radar ahead of the fighters' arrival, but provides real-time electronic eavesdropping intelligence and GPS data on precisely what needs to be vaporized... special extended-range F-15s and F-16s then proceed to drop "smart bomb" guided munitions on those same coordinates.

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Impressively, Heron TP can operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic (40,000 ft+), features all-weather capability, de-icing systems, automatic takeoff and landing systems, and triple-redundant avionics. A single turboprop engine is mounted in the rear fuselage, driving a pusher propeller. Construction throughout is of composite materials.
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Apart from its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role, the Heron TP may even be used for aerial refuelling, as-well as armed roles including missile defense and long-range strategic strikes... as noted above.
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More on the likelihood of an Israeli attack on Iran -here-





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