Strategic UAV called first to be modeled on civilian aircraft
The Dominator-2, or Oz unmanned aerial vehicle has completed initial test flights and is the first UAV based on a certified civilian aircraft.
The platform, termed a strategic UAV, was meant to compete with other medium-altitude, long-endurance platforms, particularly the Heron of Israel Aerospace Industries.
"The Dominator-2 delivers technological superiority as well as operational and strategic abilities that are unprecedented in the global UAV market," Aeronautics Defense chief executive officer Avi Leumi said. "Development of the Dominator-2 provides Aeronautics with a strong foothold in international markets, and we believe that in the coming years Aeronautics will sell dozens of systems around the world."
In July 2009, Isarel's Aeronautics completed initial flights of the Dominator, based on the manned DA-42 aircraft manufactured by Austria's Diamond Aircraft. Executives said the flights tested a range of sub-assemblies and demonstrated an operational ceiling of 30,000 feet.
Executives said Dominator-2, with an endurance of 28 hours and which contains a 400 kilogram payload, has become the world's first UAV based on a manned aircraft with full civilian certification. They said this would pave the way for Dominator to enter the growing civilian UAV market. (?????????)
"There is tremendous potential for civilian use of UAVs, and in fact, just as UAVs are gradually replacing manned aircraft in carrying out numerous and diverse operations, we expect to see UAVs engaged in a variety of applications in the civilian market in the future," Leumi said on July 28.
"Beginning with areas which seem naturally close to defense, such as policing and security, and through fields such as agriculture, infrastructures, transportation and even environmental protection."
Dominator-2, with a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 kilograms, joins two other companies -- IAI and the U.S. firm General Atomics -- that manufacture medium-altitude, long-endurance UAVs. Aeronautics said its latest platform, which could communicate with a ground station 300 kilometers away, could conduct high-quality intelligence that would attract the interest of NATO members.
"The UAV is now expected to continue its series of advanced flights to integrate additional systems and sensors that will enable it to perform complex intelligence missions," Aeronautics said.