Israeli weapons maker Elbit Systems will be providing the military’s Artillery Corps with an upgraded version of the Skylark tactical reconnaissance drone, which has been in use since 2008.
The new model, a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft, “significantly expands the operations of tactical forces and enables fast deployment,” the firm says.
The Skylark 1 eVTOL will replace the IDF Artillery Corps’ aging hand-launched Skylark 1.
Elbit says Skylark 1 eVTOL weighs up to 20 kilograms (44 lbs) including a payload of 2 kilograms, and can fly up to speeds of 65 knots (120 km/h), up to altitudes of 15,000 feet (4,500m), and distances of 40 kilometers (24 miles).
The Skylark drones are used by the Artillery Corps to provide a live video feed to soldiers on the ground. It is known in the military in Hebrew as the “sky rider.”
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From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
