Israel's pilotless helicopter
An Israeli firm called Steadicopter has developed an unmanned helicopter called the Black Eagle 50 (pictured). Israeli firm Steadicopter has unveiled its Black Eagle 50 mini rotary unmanned air vehicle. The design is 2.3m (7.5ft) long and has a rotor diameter of 2m, with a maximum take-off weight of 35kg (77lb), including a 3kg payload.Unfortunately, I doubt that the IDF will be able to deploy all of its troops in underground bunkers behind computer screens anytime in the near future, but this sort of development that minimizes risks to IDF troops is always good to hear.
Steadicopter research and development manager Rami Hadar says the fully autonomous Black Eagle 50 has an endurance of 3h and can reach an altitude of 9,000ft. Current datalink range is 10km (5.4nm), but the manufacturer says this can be increased to 150km.
Powered by a 116cc water-cooled engine, the Black Eagle 50 can achieve a forward speed of 70kt (130km/h) and withstand sidewinds of 35kt, the company says.
"We are in the final stage of development," says Hadar, with the design already having been flown. The company is also already working on a larger Black Eagle 60 airframe that will be capable of carrying a 10kg payload and flying for 4h, he reveals.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:19 PM
2 Comments:
All the latest technology is wonderful but means nothing unless Israel wipes out the enemy. Its not really a question of means in wartime - its really a question of will and unless Israel decisively vanquishes the enemy, it won't get peace after a war ends. Conflicts end in one of two ways. One side gets vanquished or both sides get equally exhausted and figure putting it all behind them will allow them to recover. Neither of these conditions exist in the Middle East today.
Cool. Can I get one for the kids?
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