Elbit, General Dynamics demonstrate UAV to US military

The Skylark II is based on Elbit's experience with similar systems in the Second Lebanon War and in Iraq.

Elbit and General Dynamics recently conducted the first US demonstration of a new unmanned aerial vehicle for US armed forces personnel. In an event held at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products and Elbit Systems of America, LLC, showed the Skylark II Small Tactical /Tier II-class unmanned aerial system (UAS).

The Skylark II UAS provides a covert, silent electric-propulsion system for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and target tracking, a unique feature in its class. The air vehicle is virtually inaudible at 500 feet above ground level, enabling persistent ISR coverage for use in areas previously inaccessible to other air vehicles that have higher noise signatures or lower endurance capabilities. Its technology allows it to be unaffected by lighting conditions.

The battalion-level system fills the capabilities gap that exists between the small, company/platoon-level unmanned systems and the tactical, brigade-level UASs that are currently available.

In March, Elbit signed a deal to supply France's Special Forces with Skylark I mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. That deal came after Elbit won a tender among ten top global leaders in UAV development. The contract was Elbit Systems' first UAV contract with France. Market sources estimated that contract to be worth several million dollars.

“The Skylark II system’s operating characteristics fulfill unmet needs for a small unmanned aerial system with low-manpower, high-endurance covert capabilities suited to harsh environments where there is limited logistical infrastructure,” said Phil Hynes, vice president of strategic planning for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. “To warfighters in-theater, that means that the enemy does not know they are being watched.”

The companies portray the vehicle as a "force multiplier" by allowing a single operator to both fly the aircraft and operate the sensor suite. The end product is imagery that helps ‘paint the picture’ for combatant commanders and intelligence officers.

Design of the Skylark II system is based on the extensive operational experience gained from a family of Elbit UAS systems used by the Israel Defense Forces during the Second Lebanon War, and systems currently used by coalition forces in Iraq.

“The effectiveness and reliability of the Elbit’s UAS family has been proven by over 100,000 flight hours,” said Elbit Systems of America president and CEO Raanan Horowitz.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). The company designs, develops and produces high-performance armament systems, defensive armor solutions, aerospace components, and is a leading US producer of biological and chemical detection systems.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Elbit Systems of America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT).

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 1, 2008

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2008

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