The Canadian Army will procure Elbit Systems Ltd.s (Nasdaq: ESLT; TASE: ESLT) Skylark 2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for operations in Afghanistan. Three key US allies the UK, Canada, and Australia - are now using Israeli tactical UAVs.
The Canadian Army is procuring the Skylark 2 UAV as part of a program to expand its UAV capabilities. The Skylark 2 is a tactical UAV designed for brigade-level operations. It is easy to deploy, and provides visual tactical intelligence for military and homeland security missions. It has day and night intelligence gathering capabilities, can operate is severe weather conditions, and has a 50-km range.
The Skylark 2 is operated from a ground vehicle, which includes a launcher and double command and control station. The UAV is fully autonomous, and can take high-quality pictures under cloud cover, and has a night camera, third-general thermal imaging, and laser marker.
The Skylark 2 is a development of the Skylark 1, which is in operational use. Both versions have an especially quiet electric engine. Janes International Defence Review quotes Royal Canadian Air Force Lt.-Col. Gord Smith as saying that the Skylark 2 would meet the demands of the Canadian Army for a man-packed hand-launched UAV. The Canadian Army has already bought five Skylark systems, and is expected to buy five more.
The Skylarks small size means that it costs less than larger UAVs. The deal is worth several million dollars, and because of its low costs, Elbit Systems expects the order to grow.
The IDF Land Forces Command is testing similar tactical mini-UAVs built by Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI) and Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.. Although the testing is not yet completed, the IDF decided to procure additional Skylark 2s. The Skylark is currently in us with eight NATO armies.
Source and more information: globes
