UVision Air ltd of Israel produces a complete lineup of "loitering munition" ("suicide"/"kamikaze") drones spanning man-portable, tactical-level offerings to strategic-level solutions. This includes the compact Hero-20 and Hero-30 anti-personnel model up to the Hero-120 and Hero-900 anti-tank solutions. All are built around the basic concept of unmanned, expendable aerial vehicle, reducing risk and cost while enhancing battlefield success rates.
Like the Hero-20 and Hero-30 models, the Hero-70 is a tactical-level, canister-launched expendable Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) whose compact size allows it to be relatively easily transported into combat. It operates in a pseudo-Close-Air Support (CAS) role and can provide real-time target/situation data to the ground operator(s). Simplicity of design ensures quick setup and equally quick action for the system.
The aircraft component weighs a handy 7 kilograms, carries a warhead of 1.2 kilograms, and ranges through Line-of-Sight (LoS) controlling up to 40 kilometers from the operator. The system can remain airborne for up to 45 minutes from launch and is powered by an electrical propulsion scheme, this quality reducing the acoustic signature of the aircraft. Like other UASs of the Hero line, the Hero-70 tactical system features spring-loaded wings/fins and seats its twin-bladed propeller at the rear of the tubular, missile-shaped body.
Expendable "loitering munitions" have become the current call-of-the-day regarding the modern battlefield as more and more world powers (great and small) move towards unmanned systems (known generically as "drones"). The low-cost, easy-to-operate, and expendable nature (also termed "suicidal" or "kamikaze") of certain designs means these applications are employed in greater numbers than ever before - changing the modern battlefield considerably.
Israel
