IAI Eitan

Israel Aerospace Industries · Israel · first flew 2009 · reconnaissance aircraft

The IAI Eitan (also known as the Heron TP) is a large medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. It is the largest UAV operated by the Israel Defense Forces and is capable of both ISR and strike missions.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × turboprop, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	15 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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Spot it by:

Large Israeli MALE UAV with twin-boom tail
Single turboprop engine driving a pusher or tractor prop
Very long endurance ISR and strike platform

A large twin-boom UAV with a long-span straight wing and a single turboprop engine; the twin-tail booms and elongated fuselage nacelle distinguish it from smaller UAVs in the IAI family.

Specifications

The IAI Eitan has a length of 15 m (49 ft).
It has a wingspan of 26 m (85 ft).
Its maximum speed is 407 km/h (253 mph).
Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown around 2009, the Eitan entered IDF service and has been used for long-duration surveillance and strike missions. It represents IAI's most capable turboprop UAV, bridging the gap between the smaller Heron and jet-powered platforms.

Variants

The Eitan is the military designation for the IAI Heron TP; it has been offered for export under the Heron TP name and is operated by Germany under a lease arrangement for ISR missions.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Israeli Air Force for extended surveillance and strike operations; Germany leases Heron TP aircraft through IAI for use in Afghanistan and Mali under the MALE UAS programme.

Related aircraft

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