Israeli Air Force uses UAVs and reconnaissance aircraft in cooperation

Israeli Air Force uses UAVs and reconnaissance aircraft in cooperation

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Beechcraft_Super_King_Air_B200_vrThe lessons learned from the extensive use of unmanned air vehicles in last summer’s “Protective Edge” operation in the Gaza strip were used in a recent vast exercise in which all the Israeli air force (IAF) UAV squadrons participated alongside the force’s manned intelligence gathering aircraft.

As part of the preparation for a possibility of an escalation in Northern Israel, the UAVs and intelligence gathering squadrons recently simulated various scenarios that are likely to take place in the event of a military campaign breakout.

According to the IAF’s website , during the exercise, the emphasis was put on missions aimed at assisting aerial attacks. The participants were required to foil attempts of high-trajectory fire, destroy Surface-to-Air batteries and eliminate enemy high command.

The prime mission of the UAV and intelligence gathering squadrons is locating targets and obtaining sufficient data for the fighter jets to execute the air strike. Afterwards, air reconnaissance controllers and UAV operators direct the relevant forces toward the targets (SAM batteries, ammunition reserves and terrorists).

“We also simulated dealing with multiple targets in urban areas and under the ground, attacking targets which have short visibility period during which they are attackable and distinguishing between military and civilian targets”, Major Amit, who led the exercise, told the website.

AUS&R2015_E_728x90During the exercise UAV operators, performed close cooperation with air reconnaissance controllers who fly on board the “Beechcraft King Air B-200”. This to achieve the shortest sensor to shooter time.

The Hezbollah terror organization in Lebanon has stockpiled some 120.000 rockets, some with a range of 400 km and a warheads of 350 kgs. The Israeli intelligence knows that many of the launchers are hidden in densely populated areas and some are mounted on vehicles.