| Eitan | |
|---|---|
| Role | Reconnaissance UAV |
| National origin | Israel |
| Manufacturer | IAI |
| First flight | ca. 2004 |
| Introduction | Gaza War[1] |
| Unit cost | $35M[2] |
| Developed from | IAI Heron |
The IAI Eitan (איתן – "steadfast"), also known as Heron TP, is a reconnaissance Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed in Israel in the early 21st century by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries.[3] The aircraft is a newer version of the IAI Heron.
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A medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAV,[4] the Eitan can operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic[4] and features all-weather capability,[4] de-icing systems,[5] automatic takeoff and landing (ATOL) systems,[4] and triple-redundant avionics.[4] It is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with wings of high aspect ratio. Booms extend rearward from the wings and carry twin tails that are joined by a common horizontal stabiliser. The main units of the tricycle undercarriage retract into the tail booms, and the nosewheel retracts into the fuselage. A single turboprop engine is mounted in the rear fuselage, driving a pusher propeller. Construction throughout is of composite materials.[3]
In April 2004, the Israeli Air Force magazine announced the existence of the programme and reported that two prototypes were already flying.[6] In March the following year, US company Aurora Flight Sciences announced a joint venture to market the aircraft under the name Orion.[6] Aurora hoped to have a machine flying during 2007, but by the middle of that year, the company had not released anything further about the project.[6] Meanwhile reports emerged of a "first flight" for the Eitan in Israel on 15 July 2006, despite the previous reports that the aircraft had already been flying two years previously.[6] In late January 2007, Yedioth Ahronoth reported yet another seemingly contradictory announcement, which indicated that the maiden flight was to take place in the coming days.[7]
The Eitan was publicly unveiled at a media event at Tel Nof Airbase on 8 October 2007.[8][9] The sensors fitted on this occasion included a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mounted in a pod on the aircraft's belly, a multi-sensor payload carried under its nose, and two conformal signals intelligence (SIGINT) arrays.[8] Additional sensors may be carried at the ends of the tail booms.[9] Analysis of the configuration presented to the media suggests an aircraft intended for deep penetration roles and on-board SIGINT processing capability.[8] However, at the media event an IAF official stated that IAI and the IAF had tested "all kinds of payloads, in all kinds of configuration schemes."[9] Apart from its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role, the Eitan may also be used for aerial refuelling, and armed roles including missile defence[5][7] and long-range strategic strike.[10]
One report stated that Israel deployed Eitans in its alleged 2009 airstrike against a Gaza-bound Iranian arms convoy traveling through Sudan.[11]
In February 2010 the Israeli Air Force unveiled its new fleet of Eitans.[12] The first unit to operate the type, 210 Squadron, was inaugurated at Tel Nof in December 2010.[13]
Data from IAI website
General characteristics
Performance
| External images | |
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| IAI Eitan (Heron TP) | |
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