Israel's New Killer Drone Designed To Take Out Iran's Missile Defense

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Israel's New Killer Drone Designed To Take Out Iran's Missile Defense

The Israeli air force has a new toy...a killer unmanned drome, the Harop, capable of flying missions of over 600 miles ( 1000 kilometers) into enemy territory, loitering over an area for hours,spotting targets as they become exposed before activation and attacking them before they have a chance to respond:

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a loitering killer drone that has the capability to hunt illusive ground targets, such as anti-aircraft systems and mobile or concealed ballistic missile launchers. This expendable unmanned aerial vehicles, known as Harop, can be launched over a suspected area without specifically acquiring a specific target. Designed to reach targets at distances over 1,000km away, the UAV loiter over a suspected area for hours, spot target as they are exposed before activation and attack them immediately. IAI is already negotiating potential export sales of the weapon with India and Turkey. The company exposed the system for the first time in India, before the Aero-India 2009 airshow. ( JP note- Israel is one of India's main arms suppliers)

Harop resembles an earlier IAI's 'suicide drone' known as Harpy. The main differences are the outer wing extensions, the longer nose and canard foreplane. Like Harpy, Harrop is launched from a vehicle-mounted container. Harop augments the Harpy's RF seeker with an electro-optical sensor, allowing it to acquire and pursue non emitting targets and moving targets, as well as 'quit' targets such as shut-down radars. As a loitering weapon, Harop can also be used against suspected ballistic missile sites, where it can target missile silos and shelters as they are opened before they can fire.

Among other targets, the Harop is capable of targeting and taking out the Russian radar-equipped S-300 anti-air missiles Iran has purchased from Russia to safeguard its nuclear sites before the s-300 is able to attack it....thus taking out little obstructions like surface-to-air batteries and radar installations and opening up Iranian nuke sites to aerial and missile attacks.

I have a feeling that weapons like the Harop in the hands of the Israelis are going to do a lot more to stop the Iran's nukes than Obama's 'negotiations.'

Iran Completes Bushehr Nukes Plant..And Says No Slowdown In Nuclear Program

The mullahs have apparently made a clear answer to President Obama's public abasement on al-Arabiya.

Today, the Russians announced that the Bushehr Nuclear plant has been completed and that only calibrating and testing the components remains.

In addition, the Iranians anounced that they plan to install 50,000centrifuges to enrich uranium over the next five years. The linked article doesn't mention it, but these will be the advanced variety:

"America should face reality and accept living with a nuclear Iran. This acceptance will allow America better access to Iran's (nuclear) market," Aghazadeh said, adding that a fresh nuclear achievement would be announced on April 9.

He did not give details.

Aghazadeh was speaking in Bushehr, in southwest Iran, where Iran is building its first nuclear power plant. Iran said on Wednesday it had carried out successful tests at the Russian- built plant, taking it a step closer to its launch.

"Currently we have 6,000 running centrifuges in Natanz and we will increase our activities to install more by the end of next (Iranian) year (to March 2010)," Aghazadeh said.

It's important to keep in mind that these are just the facilities we know about.

But then, the regular members of Joshua's Army are already aware of that little matter and my feelings on it.

Meanwhile, the current occupant of the White House is choosing to concentrate on doing what he knows best..talking.

That, and obtaining tax dollars for various political allies near and dear to his heart.