Aircraft

The Israeli air force is evaluating changes to its maintenance infrastructure so it can adapt to the growing use of large unmanned air vehicles.

The air force recently began to deploy its largest UAV - Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron TP/Eitan - and its evaluation is being conducted to prepare for the operations of the type and others now in development.

Changes to current support arrangements will have to be implemented if the air force is to achieve the same operational readiness levels with its large UAVs as currently achieved by its fighter units, says the commander of one of its maintenance squadrons, identified as Lt Col R. The maintenance infrastucture at air force bases is already being modified to allow the new systems to operate under different conditions, he adds.

With a maximum take-off weight of around 4t, the Eitan is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6 turboprop engine and offers a mission endurance of more than 40h at altitudes up to 45,000ft (13,700m).

Designed for autonomous take-off and landing, it has a 26m wingspan and a composite fuselage designed to carry large-volume payloads.

IAI's Heron/Shoval medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV is also gradually replacing manned aircraft in conducting maritime patrol missions for the Israeli armed forces. The design can carry multiple payloads with a total weight of 250kg (551lb), and fly for more than 40h at 30,000ft.