Increased US-Israeli Competition in the Field of UAVs

19/4/2012 Arie Egozi - israeldefense.com

The US has made improvements to its Predator-B UAV in order to minimize the competition posed by IAI's Heron UAV

The United States is attempting to minimize the competition posed by the Heron TP UAV produced by Israel Aerospace Industries by improving its direct competitor, the Predator-B UAV. The US realized it is facing a problem after the Heron TP UAV won a French tender, and also generated interest in Germany.

IsraelDefense has learned that General Atomics, the producer of the Predator-B, is now offering an improved variant of the UAV, which can fly for a longer period by using either external fuel tanks or modifications to the UAV's wings. Another improvement can be seen in the installation of a stronger wheel system, which will allow for a large takeoff weight from 4.7 tons to 5.3 tons.

IsraelDefense reported several days ago that Germany is expected to reexamine the procurement of the IAI's Heron TP UAV in the wake of the cancellation of the European Talarion UAV project. EADS, which invested considerable sums in the Talarion project until it was forced to cancel it, has yet to start official discussions with IAI. However, German sources have assessed that this will occur soon due to the German Army's need for a large UAV with capabilities such as those of the Heron TP.

The German forces deployed in Afghanistan use the smaller Heron-1 UAV, which the sources believe is hastening the discussions for procuring the large UAV. The Heron TP's open architecture recently resulted in an acceleration in the process, one which will allow the UAV to fly in Germany's airspace.

Flights of such large and heavy UAVs are a global issue, as they require a special license by aviation authorities. The Heron TP's basic design allows for a quick license process.

IAI and the French Dassault Aviation established a joint company that will suit the Heron TP UAV according to the needs of the French Army, equipping it with unique and classified French payloads. General Atomics views the European developments as a cause for concern, which is apparently the reason for the increased capabilities proposal.