The Canadian Army will procure Elbit Systems Ltd.’s (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) Skylark 2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for operations in Afghanistan. Three key US allies the UK, Canada, and Australia - are now using Israeli tactical UAVs.
The Canadian Army is procuring the Skylark 2 UAV as part of a program to expand its UAV capabilities. The Skylark 2 is a tactical UAV designed for brigade-level operations. It is easy to deploy, and provides visual tactical intelligence for military and homeland security missions. It has day and night intelligence gathering capabilities, can operate is severe weather conditions, and has a 50-km range.
The Skylark 2 is operated from a ground vehicle, which includes a launcher and double command and control station. The UAV is fully autonomous, and can take high-quality pictures under cloud cover, and has a night camera, third-general thermal imaging, and laser marker.
The Skylark 2 is a development of the Skylark 1, which is in operational use. Both versions have an especially quiet electric engine. “Jane’s International Defence Review” quotes Royal Canadian Air Force Lt.-Col. Gord Smith as saying that the Skylark 2 would meet the demands of the Canadian Army for a man-packed hand-launched UAV. The Canadian Army has already bought five Skylark systems, and is expected to buy five more.
The Skylark’s small size means that it costs less than larger UAVs. The deal is worth several million dollars, and because of its low costs, Elbit Systems expects the order to grow.
The IDF Land Forces Command is testing similar tactical mini-UAVs built by Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) and Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.. Although the testing is not yet completed, the IDF decided to procure additional Skylark 2s. The Skylark is currently in us with eight NATO armies.
With the procurement of the Skylark 2, three close US allies now use Israeli tactical UAVs. The British Army bought Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 for its Watchkeeper program. The Australian Army has bought IAI’s Eye View 250, and is considering placing another order. The US Army has IAI’s Hunter attack UAV, which is equipped with anti-tank missiles, but decided not to buy the more advanced IAI Heron UAV, which is operational use with the IDF. However, the US Army bought the RQ7 Shadow 200 UAV, built by AAI Corp.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on June 26, 2006
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