Huge Israeli drone that can reach Iran crashes
Jan 29, 2012, 2:04 PM
JERUSALEM (AP) – The Israeli military says a drone that can fly as far as Iran has crashed in central Israel on a routine experimental flight.
The military says there were no injuries in Sunday’s crash, and it was investigating the incident.
The Heron TP drone is also known locally as the Eitan. It has a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making it the size of a Boeing 737 passenger jet. It is the largest unmanned aircraft in Israel’s military arsenal.
The drone figures to be featured prominently in any potential Israeli operation against Iran and its expanding nuclear program.
Heron TP could provide surveillance, jam enemy communications and connect ground control and manned air force planes. It’s unclear if is could carry a deployable payload in a potential strike.
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