Huge Israeli Heron TP Drone That Can Reach Iran Crashes During Routine Flight

[Purveyor]

By Associated Press,

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says a drone that can fly as far as Iran has crashed in central Israel on a routine experimental flight.

The military says there were no injuries in Sunday’s crash, and it was investigating the incident.

The Heron TP drone is also known locally as the Eitan. It has a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making it the size of a Boeing 737 passenger jet. It is the largest unmanned aircraft in Israel’s military arsenal.

The drone figures to be featured prominently in any potential Israeli operation against Iran and its expanding nuclear program.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/huge-israeli-heron-tp-drone-that-can-reach-iran-crashes-during-routine-flight/2012/01/29/gIQALpLyZQ_story.html

[MadHound]

1. Good, anything to slow or stop this incessant rush towards war with Iran. n/t

[HopeHoops]

2. That's what happens when a drone flies on heroin.

[originalpckelly]

3. Iran is not going to nuke Israel.

Israel will actually wipe Iran off the map if that happens. They are the ones with the nukes.

[riverwalker]

4. maybe Turkey can help them out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAI_Heron

Heron variants

Turkey operates a special modified version of the Heron, which utilizes Turkish designed and manufactured electro-optical sub-systems. For Example, the Turkish Herons use the ASELSAN of Turkey designed and manufactured ASELFLIR-300T Airborne Thermal Imaging and Targeting System. The Turkish Herons also have stronger engines in order to compensate for the added payload created by the highly advance ASELFLIR-300T. This is the same FLIR system used by the AgustaWestland TAI T-129 Attack helicopter[9] and the TAI Anka MALE UAV. IAI staff maintain that the Turkish Heron's "[u]with its enhanced performance, is better than all existing Heron UAVs operating worldwide”.[10] Turkish Aerospace Industries provide maintenance and overhaul services for the Turkish Herons[11]

[provis99]

5. wouldn't flying a drone over Iran be an act of war?

Typical international relations hypocrisy.