"Defense Systems Daily": US Marines in Ramadi and Falluja easily spotted the enemy thanks to Pioneer.
Britain's "Defense Systems Daily" is full of praise for the operational performance of Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in combat in Iraq.
IAI and AAI Corporation established a joint venture, Pioneer UAV Inc., to build the Pioneer for the US Army. The US Marine Corps also uses the Pioneer.
AAI is trying to develop its own UAV, called "Guardian". It presents the Guardian at arms shows, and has tried to market it to the US Navy. However, the Marines want to keep the Pioneer.
There have been reports that the Pioneer is in use in Iraq, but this is the first confirmation by the US Army. "The Marines fighting armed resistance in Ramadi and Falluja have easily spotted the enemy thanks to the Pioneer," states "Defense Systems Daily".
In contrast to larger UAVs used by the US armed forces, the Pioneer is a tactical system equipped only with sophisticated cameras.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on October 17, 2004