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 The I-View family of small and mini-UAVs will be deployed
with brigade, battalion level and special operations forces. This
family has three members – K250, designed for brigades, K125 designed
for battalions and K50, optimized for Special Forces. All I-View
models are designed for mission endurance of several hours and operate
at an altitude below 15,000 above ground level. I-View is designed
specifically for the forward echelon. While larger UAVs, such as the
Searcher and Heron, are operated at theater level, in support of
strategic operations, the new mini-UAV family requires less support,
has a smaller logistical and operational footprint and offers direct
support to the commanders and users.
 With maximum takeoff weight of 240 kg, I-View can carry high
performance sensors such as the MOSP optical
payload and Synthetic Aperture Radar (Such as the
EL/M-2055D). Due to the larger and
improved optics and stabilization, MOSP offers 30 – 40% improved
performance compared to smaller, lighter payloads such as the
POP 300. To further improve the
performance of the payload, I-View uses an automatic target tracker,
implemented in software the ground station. Malat's new miniaturized
avionics are already installed in the I-View, contributing to weight
and space saving. A total capacity of 86 liters is available for
payloads and mission specific instrumentation systems.
I-View can operate on 6 – 8 hour missions, at altitude of 15,000 feet.
At such altitude, its line-of-sight communication datalink can operate
at ranges of 150km from the ground station. When operation at lower
altitude is required, the UAV can be supported by another vehicle
carrying an aerial relay. I-View can utilize the common mission
control systems used by other UAVs such as the Heron and Searcher. A
miniaturized version is available for rapid deployments, packed in a
Humvee mounted shelter.
I-View's operational autonomy, with automatic launching and recovery,
and efficient mission control facilities, offers self sufficiency for
the tactical units. The system can be deployed almost anywhere, either
from paved runways or by hydraulic rail launcher. Rapid tear-down
ensures the unit does not slow down the troops, can move at the pace
of the battalions, and may not become target for enemy attack. I-View
uses a unique controlled parafoil flight termination system, which is
automatically deployed at the end of the mission or on emergency, to
bring air-vehicle to the ground through a soft landing. Since the
parafoil decent is controlled by the flight controls of the UAV,
I-View can be landed within 50 m radius from the predestinated point,
regardless of the wind conditions. This controlled parafoil automatic
landing system is considered to be the most suitable for tactical UAV
operations. Since landing loads are minimal, the aircraft can be
reused after minimal turnaround time of few minutes. I-View uses the
operationally proven automatic takeoff and landing systems available
in the Heron, Hunter and Searcher UAVs.
The aerodynamic design is optimized for parafoil
integration. The parafoil is stored in a tail boom which opens
straight into the air stream. Unlike most UAVs using pusher propeller,
I-View's engine and propeller are mounted in front, to prevent the
risk of parachute failure. Another distinctive design feature is the
dove tail design is already well proven in UAV operation. The upper
tail chosen for the I-View maintains all the benefits of this design,
with improved payload visibility, and safety during takeoff and
landing. While dove-tail is more efficient, it also lacks the
redundancy of the twin-tail design. IAI's tradeoff in the I-View was
the availability of the parafoil, which can be used as emergency
landing device. Australia Selects Israeli I-View Tactical UAV for JP129
The launch customer of the I-View will
probably be Australia. The Australian MOD selected this platform for
its future tactical UAV system, a $145 million program announced by
Defence Minister Robert Hill December 12, 2005. A formal contract was
signed a year later, in
December 2006. According to the Australian MOD, Boeing
Australia, teamed with IAI / Malat was selected to supply UAVs for the
Australian Army's Joint Project 129 (JP129). The first I-View
will be operational in 2008 by a new regiment based at
the Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, in Queensland. They Australian Army
is already operating short-range, miniature
SKYLARK UAVs supplied by Elbit
Systems. These mini UAVs are
being deployed to Iraq. Additional, High Altitude Long Endurance
Maritime UAV (Most likely the Northrop
Grumman Global Hawk) will also be purchased under Project Air
7000. I-View in also a contender in several other programs in
Israel, India and other markets. <back
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