UPDATE: Here is more on recent developments in UAVs and the Air Force’s plan for future developments until 2047.
I have previously posted about the development of unmanned aircraft in the US, Now Israel has unveiled a huge (the size of a 737 airliner) UAV that is a potential bomber with a very long range and loiter time over a target zone.
Israel’s air force has introduced a fleet of large unmanned planes that it says can fly as far as Iran. Air force officials say the Heron TP drones have a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making them the size of passenger jets, which can fly 20 consecutive hours, and are primarily used for surveillance and carrying payloads. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
It looks something like the US Global Hawk.
Although the Global Hawk looks a bit huskier and may have a larger payload. The Predator, however, is quite similar although not as large as the Israeli UAV. The Predator is prop driven with the Global Hawk is a jet.
The future of warplanes is going in this direction more and more. If I were an Iranian military man concerned with air defense, I would be very concerned. These aircraft can fly very high, maybe higher than disclosed, and for very long periods, Global Hawks have been aloft without refueling for over 24 hours. The pilot is sitting in a chair at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, perhaps, or back in Israel. No pilot fatigue on these aircraft. The US Navy has a big UAV that will be making carrier takeoffs and landings next year.
