Tadiran Mastiff
Tadiran / Elisra · Israel · first flew 1973 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Tadiran Mastiff was an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) first flown in 1973, regarded as one of the pioneering battlefield drones that established Israel's global leadership in unmanned aircraft. It was used for real-time reconnaissance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 3.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
- Small high-wing pusher or tractor prop configuration
- Pioneer of modern battlefield drone concepts
A small high-wing monoplane of minimal dimensions, identifiable by its pusher propeller at the tail, twin-boom tail arrangement, and completely utilitarian unpiloted design.
Specifications
- The Tadiran Mastiff has a length of 3.3 m (11 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 4.25 m (14 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Tadiran Electronics and first flown in 1973, the Mastiff was operationally deployed by the Israel Defense Forces and used with distinction in the 1982 Lebanon War for real-time video reconnaissance. It carried a TV camera and transmitted live imagery to ground stations, allowing unprecedented battlefield awareness. The Mastiff demonstrated conclusively that small UAVs could transform military intelligence gathering.
Variants
The Mastiff Mk.II and Mk.III introduced improved sensors and endurance. The related Scout UAV was developed in parallel by Israel Aircraft Industries.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Israeli Defense Forces from the mid-1970s through the 1980s; also exported to the United States, where it influenced subsequent American UAV development.
Related aircraft
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