The shift from manned to unmanned platforms

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The Israeli airforce (IAF) is beginning a long cautious process that will replace manned aircraft with unmanned air systems (UAS).

Israel aerospace industries (IAI) Panther tilt rotor unmanned air system (UAS) will be adapted for operation aboard navy ships.

The Panther uses an innovative automatic flight control system that controls the transitions between the hovering takeoff phase to forward flight and vice versa before landing. The Panther takes off and lands automatically by a simple click of the operator console, thus eliminating the need for an external pilot.

The Panther is powered by 3 ultra-quiet electrical motors and  has a takeoff weight of 65 kg and an endurance of 6 hours.

The Israeli navy is currently using helicopters on its SAAR-5 missile ships. Sources said that the Panther and other UAS systems now under development will eliminate the future use of helicopters on the navy’s ships.

The IAF UAS’s are already performing some of the missions that were so far performed exclusively by the force’s Beechcraft  B-200’s Super King Air aircraft.

The payloads carried by the IAF’s Heron-1 and Heron -TP , UAS are capable of performing the medium and long range observation missions that until some years ago were performed exclusively by the B-200 (ZOFIT)

The IAF , has been  using some of its B-200’s for long range observation missions. These aircraft are equipped with very advanced electro-optical systems. These are operated by a crew of air scouts seated in the cabin.

The carrying capability of the medium and large UAS operated by the IAF , and the quality of the sensors they carry , have shifted many missions to the UAS squadrons and that trend will continue. The UAS have a longer endurance and their operation is cheaper.