IAI Eitan

Eitan
Role	Reconnaissance UAV
National origin	Israel
Manufacturer	IAI
First flight	ca. 2004
Introduction	Gaza War
Unit cost	$35M
Developed from	IAI Heron

The IAI Eitan (איתן – "Steadfast"), also known as Heron TP, is a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed in Israel in the early 21st century by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries.^[3] The aircraft is a newer version of the IAI Heron.

Design[]

A medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAV,^[4] the Eitan can operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic^[4] and features all-weather capability,^[4] de-icing systems,^[5] automatic takeoff and landing (ATOL) systems,^[4] and triple-redundant avionics.^[4] 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.^[3]

Development[]

In April 2004, the Israeli Air Force magazine announced the existence of the programme and reported that two prototypes were already flying.^[6] In March the following year, US company Aurora Flight Sciences announced a joint venture to market the aircraft under the name Orion.^[6] 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.^[6] 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.^[6] 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.^[7] The Eitan was publicly unveiled at a media event at Tel Nof Airbase on 8 October 2007.^[8]^[9] 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.^[8] Additional sensors may be carried at the ends of the tail booms.^[9] Analysis of the configuration presented to the media suggests an aircraft intended for deep penetration roles and on-board SIGINT processing capability.^[8] 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."^[9] 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^[5]^[7] and long-range strategic strike.^[10]

Operational[]

One report stated that Israel deployed Eitans in its alleged 2009 airstrike against an alleged Gaza-bound Iranian arms convoy traveling through Sudan.^[11]

In February 2010 the Israeli Air Force unveiled its new fleet of Eitans.^[12] The first unit to operate the type, 210 Squadron, was inaugurated at Tel Nof in December 2010.^[13] In January 2012, an Eitan drone crashed near Hafetz Haim during tests of new payloads; no injuries were reported.^[14]^[15]

Export[]

Germany - 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]
France - In 2011 France selected the IAI Eitan for the French military.^[17] 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.^[18]
Spain - Indra sistemas and Thales Group have offered to the Spanish Ministry of Defence a system based on the IAI Eitan.^[19]
United Kingdom - Britain's Royal Air Force considering purchase of IAI Eitan UAVs.^[20]