Israel Offers Glimpse of UAV Experiences

Asian Aerospace 2000 - - Of all the speakers attending the Millennium Air Power Conference, Israel's Major General Eitan Ben-Eliahu brought with him the most front-line combat experience. The quiet-spoken Eliahu joined the IDF/AF in 1964 and fought in every major engagement Israel has undertaken since the Six-Day War. As a result, his views on air power theory and practice carry some weight.

Eliahu was forthright in asserting that ground war, invasion and occupation of territory can ultimately bring political defeat from a military victory. The concentrated application of airpower can overcome this problem. But, while airpower is undoubtedly effective, it is costly in terms of manpower, materiel and simple cash. During Operation Desert Storm, Eliahu noted, only 40,000 of the 120,000 sorties launched were combat sorties. During Operation Allied Force over Kosovo the ratio was even worse - just 10,000 combat sorties out of 40,000 flown.

Eliahu suggested that the modern air force must achieve two things - maximize the combat effectiveness of each sortie and offload tasks onto UAVs and into space.

Israel began using UAVs in 1980. The first examples had a 30-kg payload and a five-hour endurance. Today's UAVs have a 150-kg payload and a 13-hour endurance. Israel will soon field vehicles with a 200-kg payload and 20-hour endurance. In the future Eliahu expects UAVs to be able to stay aloft for several days above the tropopause, with day/night 24-hour observation capabilities. They will also be able to deliver precision-guided 2,000-pound bombs.

Israel's experience with UAVs has taught it the following lessons: The time required to develop a UAV platform is short and lasts less than a year. The payload is an important element that requires advanced technology. The most complex element is the command and control system. A long period is required fully to design and develop this system. UAVs demand high-quality manpower in large numbers. Their routine maintenance is difficult and requires a level equivalent to that of 'more sophisticated' manned aircraft.

Perhaps Eliahu's most surprising conclusion was that even though UAVs are typified as fairly simple platforms, the combination of the vehicle, communications system, C2 infrastructure and routine maintenance makes the cost of a UAV squadron approach that of conventional aircraft squadron. However, given the high expectations now raised by airpower - the need for rapid results and low casualties - it is a price worth paying.

By Robert Hewson