avia.wikisort.org - Aeroplane

The IAI Eitan (איתן – "Steadfast"; export designation Heron TP) is an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft developed in Israel in the early 21st century by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries.[1] The aircraft is a newer version of the IAI Heron.

Eitan
Role	Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle and unmanned combat air vehicle (armed variant) Type of aircraft
National origin	Israel
Manufacturer	IAI
First flight	ca. 2004
Status	Active, In production
Developed from	IAI Heron

Development

In April 2004, the Israeli Air Force magazine announced the existence of the programme and reported that two prototypes were already flying.[2] In March the following year, US company Aurora Flight Sciences announced a joint venture to market the aircraft under the name Orion.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2] 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.[3]

The Eitan was publicly unveiled at a media event at Tel Nof Airbase on 8 October 2007.[4][5] 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.[4] Additional sensors may be carried at the ends of the tail booms.[5] Analysis of the configuration presented to the media suggests an aircraft intended for deep penetration roles and on-board SIGINT processing capability.[4] 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."[5] 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[3][6] and long-range strategic strike.[7]

Design

A medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAV,[8] the Eitan can operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic[8] and features all-weather capability,[8] de-icing systems,[6] automatic takeoff and landing (ATOL) systems,[8] and triple-redundant avionics.[8] 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.[1]

Operational history

One report stated that Israel deployed Eitans in its alleged 2009 airstrike against an alleged Gaza-bound Iranian arms convoy traveling through Sudan.[9]

In February 2010 the Israeli Air Force unveiled its new fleet of Eitans.[10] The first unit to operate the type, 210 Squadron, was inaugurated at Tel Nof in December 2010.[11] In January 2012, an Eitan drone crashed near Hafetz Haim during tests of new payloads; no injuries were reported.[12][13]

The IDF does not comment on the arming of drones, but reports describe the Eitan being used for “armed roles” with missiles “attached to wing hardpoints,” as well as for target acquisition.[14] Used allegedly during several operations, will help government-owned IAI market its latest drone models as “combat-proven systems.”[15]

Exports

In 2010 IAI offered the Eitan, under a teaming agreement with Rheinmetall, in pursuit of the German Air Force's long-term "Saateg" MALE UAV requirement.[16] On 21 May 2014, IAI signed a deal with Airbus to team up on a bid for a bridging contract to supply the German armed forces with the Heron TP from 2015 until 2020. A current contract between the companies to supply Germany with the Heron is set to expire by 2015. Airbus said the German government would have the choice of either a purchase option or a lease for the system.[17]

In 2011 France selected the IAI Eitan for the French military.[18] The deal was cancelled later in November 2011 by the French senate with the funds being allocated to a joint Franco-British MALE UAV design.[19]

Britain's Royal Air Force considered purchase of IAI Eitan UAVs in 2012.[20]

India finalized deal of 10 armed Heron TP for $400 million. It will add to already existing fleet of unarmed Herons of Indian air force.[21]

In May 2020, Greece signed a deal for the lease of 3 Heron TP for 39 million €. As part of the agreement, the IMOD will lease the Heron system in its maritime configuration to Greece over three years, with an option to purchase the system upon completion of the leasing period. [22]

Operators

 Israel

• Israeli Defence Force – 10-15 aircraft (est.)[23]

 India

• Indian Air Force - 10[24]

 Greece

• Hellenic Air Force - 3[25]

 Germany

• German Air Force - 3[26]

Specifications

Data from IAI Website

General characteristics

• Capacity: 2,700kg payload
• Max takeoff weight: 5,400kg
• Length: 14m
• Wingspan: 26m
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67A , 900 kW (1,200 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 407 km/h (253 mph, 220 kn)
• Range: 7,400 km (4,600 mi, 4,000 nmi)
• Endurance: 30+ hours[12]
• Service ceiling: 14,000 m (46,000 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• EADS Talarion
• General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
• Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
• IAIO Fotros
• TAI Aksungur
• Vestel Karayel

References

• Egozi, Arie (16 October 2007). "Israeli air force reveals sensor-equipped Eitan UAV". Flight International. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
• Egozi, Arie (11 February 2008). "Israel special – Israel broadens UAV use with advanced designs". Flight International. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
• "Eitan: Israel develops the world's largest UAV". Domain-b. Navi Mumbai: The Information Company. 24 January 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
• "Heron TP". Israel Aerospace Industries. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
• "IAI Heron TP Eitan". Jane's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Targets. Jane's Information Group. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
• "IAI's Heron TP UAV sets new technological and operational records". Domain-b. Navi Mumbai: The Information Company. 10 September 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-24.
• Opall-Rome, Barbara (25 October 2007). "Israel To Improve UAV Force". Defense News.
• Opall-Rome, Barbara (7 July 2008). "Israel AF Hones Manned-UAV Mix". Defense News. Retrieved 2009-02-24.^{[dead link]}
• Eshel, Tamir (21 February 2010). "Israel's Third UAV Squadron to Operate 'Strategic UAV'". Retrieved 2010-02-22. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Eshel, Tamir (20 July 2007). "Israel's Heron TP (Eitan)". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 2010-02-22. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
• Egozi, Arie (7 May 2021). "German Heron TP preparations continue in Israel". Retrieved 2021-10-17. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

External links

На других языках

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- [en] IAI Eitan

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[fr] IAI Eitan

L'IAI Eitan (hébreu : איתן : ferme, solide) est un drone de moyenne altitude longue endurance (MALE) construit par la division Malat du constructeur israélien Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Sa masse au décollage est de 4 650 kg, sa charge utile de 2 000 kg. Il fait 14 mètres de long pour 26 mètres d'envergure, à rapprocher des 28 m de l'envergure d'un Boeing 737[2]. Il peut voler jusqu'à 13 950 m pendant 36 heures. Il est aussi parfois dénommé Heron TP, faisant référence au drone IAI Heron à partir duquel il a été développé.

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[it] IAI Eitan

L'Eitan (chiamato anche Heron TP) è un UAV da ricognizione israeliano sviluppato dalla IAI all'inizio degli anni duemila come nuova versione dell'Heron.

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[ru] IAI Eitan

IAI Eitan (Heron TP) — израильский многоцелевой БПЛА, разработанный компанией IAI на базе IAI Heron. По сравнению с предшественником имеет большие размеры и оборудован турбовинтовыми двигателями.

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