IAI Scout
Israel Aerospace Industries · Israel · first flew 1979 · reconnaissance aircraft
The IAI Scout was a pioneering Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for battlefield reconnaissance and artillery spotting, widely regarded as one of the first modern tactical drones used in combat.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | High straight wing with pusher propeller at rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pioneer Israeli tactical surveillance UAV with twin-boom tail
- High straight wing with pusher propeller at rear fuselage
- No cockpit — unmanned with sensor package in nose
Small twin-boom UAV with a high straight wing, pusher propeller, and sensor payload in the nose. The complete absence of a cockpit and its small size distinguish it from manned aircraft.
Specifications
- The IAI Scout has a length of 3.68 m (12 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 5 m (16 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 176 km/h (109 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1979, the Scout saw operational use by the Israel Defense Forces during the 1982 Lebanon War, where it was employed to locate Syrian air defence radars. Its success directly influenced US and NATO interest in tactical UAVs.
Variants
The Scout led directly to the IAI Pioneer, which was co-produced with the United States and operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Israel Defense Forces and subsequently exported; the Pioneer variant served with the US Navy.
Related aircraft
- IAI Astra
- IAI F-21A Lion
- IAI Kfir
- IAI Lavi
- British Aerospace Nimrod AEW.3
- Beriev A-60
- Boeing CQM-121 Pave Tiger
- Boeing E-3A Sentry
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