The crash overshadows the news that Elbit Systems won the UK Ministry of Defence Watchkeeper tender today.
While Elbit Systems (Nasdaq:ESLT; TASE:ESLT) celebrated its win in the UK Ministry of Defence Watchkeeper tender, one of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), operated by the Israel Air Force, went missing at sea this morning.
The Hermes 450 UAV was on an operational mission crashed into the Mediterranean, due to technical breakdown.
Another Elbit Systems UAV, this time a Hermes 1500, made a forced landing while on a training mission last month. The UAV ran out fuel, but flew again after repairs.
Elbit Systems declined to comment on the report. An IDF spokesman confirmed the report, saying that no one was injured and no damage caused, except for the loss of the UAV.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on July 20, 2004