Israel takes delivery of long haul Heron UAVs
Manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, internationally popular model comes home and is renamed the Shoval; as craft can fly forty hours without refueling, move is certain to raise eyebrows in Tehran
If there are any Iranian intelligence operatives among our readership — and believe us, it is quite diverse — they will be interested to hear that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has finally taken receipt of its first long haul UAV. Manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Shoval (known internationally as the Heron-1) is capable of flying for more than forty hours at altitudes of 30,000 feet. Where exactly Israel might fly such a device is a question most of our readers can answer for themselves, but we note that the IAF claims the drone is intended for reconnaisance, communications and electronic intelligence, and maritime patrol — as well as rocket defense. The Shoval sports a massive wingspan of 16.6 meters and has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,200 kilograms. Israel paid $50 million for the fleet. Other countries flying the Heron or derivitive models include India, Turkey, and France.
-read more in Amos Harels’ Haaretz report
