Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) and Boeing Australia Ltd. have won a huge $100 million Australian Defence Force (ADF) tender for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). IAI will sell its tactical I-view UAV, but said its share of the deal was not yet known.
The ADF will use the tactical I-view UAV for reconnaissance and intelligence missions. IAI and Boeing Australia beat a consortium comprising Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) and Austalia’s ADI Ltd., and a consortium comprising BAE Australia and AAI Corporation of the US.
The tactical I-View UAV is designed for operational surveillance, intelligence and target spotting missions. It is equipped with an automatic take-off and landing system, and a powered parafoil for safe landing in difficult terrain. The I-View’s maximum take-off weight in 250 kg., it has six to eight hours flight endurance, a maximum altitude of 17,500 feet, and a range of up to 150 km. It carries a wide range of sensors, including electo-optical, radar, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electronic intelligence systems, and other payloads.
Australia’s Department of Defence said, “Boeing Australia was chosen to supply IAI’s I-View UAV. This offer was the best offer in terms of cost-benefit.”
IAI/MALAT Division general manager Yair Dubester said today, “IAI/MALAT is proud that the ADF has selected the I-View as its Tactical UAV system. I-View is IAI/MALAT's fourth-generation Tactical UAV system, and is built on our extensive experience with UAV technology over the past 30 years. I-View offers not only high performance and flexibility, but also future growth to support the ADF’s operational needs.”
Boeing Australia managing director David Gray said, “The I-View system that Boeing Australia and our partner, IAI, will deliver is among the most advanced tactical unmanned aerial vehicles in the world today.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on December 13, 2005