Elbit Skylark

Israel (2006)

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The Israeli Elbit Systems Skylark UAV series has taken hold in the inventories of several world powers.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Elbit Skylark Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Entry last updated on 2/21/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

Elbit Systems of Israel produces their Skylark series of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as a portable surveillance and reconnaissance system. The type was developed through a joint initiative by the Technology and Logistics Branch and Ground Forces of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Due to its size, the system can be brought to bear at the squad level, providing a fire team with a quick reacting, real-time processing "eye-in-the-sky" ally to be used to identify potential threats or areas governed by the enemy during the course of an operation. The Skylark has since been evolved into two distinct forms - the original Skylark I and the follow-up Skylark 2 with broadened tactical capabilities. Elbit Systems was founded in 1967 and is headquartered out of Haifa, Israel. Its initial business primarily dealt with electronics and communications before delving into the world of unmanned systems, having grown to employ some 12,300 personnel worldwide.

As a portable system, the Skylark can be transported with relative ease and is launched via hand - doing away with the more complicated and expensive catapult-launching methods utilized by larger UAV types. The design consists of a conventional airplane arrangement involving a centralized nacelle containing the requisite fuel stores, powerplant and payload as well as a traditional tail unit. The Skylark makes use of straight wing appendages that sport a slight forward crank at their midway span (this is mainly noticeable at the trailing edges. Wings are high-mounted on the fuselage to help clear the belly-mounted nacelle camera equipment. The tail unit consists of a single vertical fin set forward of the horizontal tailplanes. There is no undercarriage attributed to the Skylark design as recovery is through stalling, creating a slow and controlled freefall to which the system lands safely on a pre-inflated cushion. The Skylark I sports an operational range out to 10 kilometers (approximately 6.2 miles). The onboard powerplant manages a two-bladed propeller system fitted at the front of the design in a "puller" configuration.

Picture of the Elbit Skylark Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

As the primary mission of the Skylark is observation, the system is properly equipped with a real-time camera for daylight operations while it can also be equipped with a thermal imaging device and electro-optical/infrared sensors. This allows for the Skylark system to operate in low-light conditions with the same fervor as it does in day time sorties. Guidance is assisted by the onboard GPS installation. The visual systems transmit data to an awaiting Ground Control Station (GCS) managed by the launch crew.

The Skylark II (also known as the "Skylark Generation 2") system is a more advanced version of the Skylark family UAV. Elbit debuted the Skylark II in 2006 and marketed it with an improved range of 60 km (37 miles) with a flight endurance time of approximately 6 hours. The aircraft is intended to serve in the low-to-medium altitude role and management is through a crew of two specially-trained operators utilizing the GCS from a HMMWV high-mobility vehicle (HUMVEE). Its overall design configuration is equivalent to the original Skylark 1 series including the underslung payload area.

The Skylark II is expected to enter service with the Israeli Army by the end of 2013 and serve in the intelligence-gathering role. The Skylark 2 will eventually staff every Israeli Army battalion in the support role.

The Skylark family of UAVs is in widespread use with the forces of Australia, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Israel (Skylark I and II), Macedonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea (Skylark II) and Sweden. The UAV has seen combat action in both the Afghanistan and Iraqi theaters.

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 50mph

Lo: 25mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (40mph).

Graph average of 37.5 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Elbit Skylark's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

100

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

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Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: Israel

Year: 2006

Type: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Manufacturer(s): Elbit Systems - Israel

Production: 100

Status: Active, In-Service

Global Operators:
Australia; Canada; Croatia; Czech Republic; Hungary; Israel; Kazakhstan; Macedonia; Netherlands; Poland; Slovakia; South Korea; Sweden

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Elbit Skylark model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
0

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
105.45 ft

Meters
32.14 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
15 lb

Kilograms
7 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
15 lb

Kilograms
7 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
1 x Electric powerplant powering a two-bladed propeller in a puller arrangement.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
40 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
65 kph

Knots
35 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
124 mi

Kilometers
200 km

Nautical Miles
108 nm

Performance
CEILING

Feet
15,000 ft

Meters
4,572 m

Miles
2.84 mi

Armament - Hardpoints (0):

None.

Variants: Series Model Variants
• Skylark - Base Series Designation
• Skylark I - Initial production model
• Skylark II - Appearing in 2006.