Tel Aviv: After many years that the Israeli censors kept this fact in the dark, it was officially revealed – the Israeli air force is using UAVs that launch missiles.
According to a report by Dr Amir Bohbot, defence analyst of the Walla news outlet, the IAF has been using these UAVs for more than 20 years. According to reports, the IAF is using the Elbit Systems Hermes-450 as the main platform for the special missiles.
Experts here say that other Israeli made UAVs can also carry missiles. These are the Elbit Systems Hermes-900 and the IAI Heron TP. The missiles are used to hit targets related to the terror organisations in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Israeli defence industries have developed special missiles for the armed UAVs. In operations against terror organisations in Gaza and Lebanon the IDF is mainly using the Hermes -450. The Hermes 450 is a medium-sized multi-payload UAV for tactical long endurance missions. It has an endurance of over 20 hours.
Israeli sources say that some of the assassinations of top leaders in the Hamas and Hezbollah terror originations were performed by UAVs launching the special missiles that have been developed for this mission.
But as mentioned before, bigger UAV’s like the IAI Heron- TP and the Elbit Systems Hermes-900, can also carry missile. These two UAVs have much longer endurance and can carry more missiles.
In recent years more than 80 % of the total flight hours performed by the Israeli air force are by UAVs of all types. These are performing a long list of missions while carrying different very advanced payloads.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
