Page 267 - Israel Defense Directory 2013-14

Israel pioneered the field of unmanned aerial systems in the 1970s and is now considered world
leader in this field. Today, Israeli developed unmanned systems are offered along with avionics,
mission payloads and support systems, providing the unmanned aerial platforms, land vehicles of
all sizes, and surface vessels for military, homeland security and civil use.

Israeli unmanned systems have been operationally proven for decades, enduring cold, high-altitude
and high temperature conditions, tropical and desert climates, as well as the maritime environment.
In addition to supporting the IDF, these vehicles, sensors and mission systems have operated routinely
in all recent conflicts, from Afghanistan and Iraq in the Middle East to Mali, Libya in Africa, providing
essential intelligence support and saving the lives of soldiers and civilians alike.

The Israel Air Force (IAF) operates several UAV squadrons equipped with Israeli made Medium
Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platforms, along with tactical and mini-UAVs utilized by the ground
forces. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also became the first army to employ a robotic, unmanned
patrol vehicle as part of regular, operational forces while the Israel Navy has been employing
Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) - these agile and persistent platforms are assuming growing
responsibility for the country’s port, coastal and offshore security. Aerostats are also employed in
support of ground forces, providing persistent, wide-area electronic surveillance and high fidelity
imaging. Aerostats also provide ground and air surveillance and other services.

Supporting missions other than war, Israeli unmanned vehicles are also operating in Latin America,
the Indian Ocean, Europe, Asia, South Pacific and Africa. Patrolling vast areas of desert, open
country, jungles or open sea, such UAVs are securing borders, oil fields and pipelines, monitor
maritime traffic in littorals, assist in combatting piracy and assisting in rapid response and recovery
in emergency situations.