IAI Offers Panther Tiltrotor for Ship-Based Operations

Israel Aerospace Industries' Panther tiltrotor unmanned air system will be adapted for operation aboard navy ships.

The Panther uses an innovative automatic flight control system that manages the transitions between the hovering take-off phase to forward flight and vice versa before landing. The UAS takes off and lands automatically following simple command clicks on an operator console, eliminating the need for an external pilot.

Powered by what IAI describes as three ultra-quiet electric motors, the Panther has a take-off weight of 65kg (143lb) and an endurance of 6h.

The Israeli navy is currently using manned helicopters for operations from its Saar-5 missile ships. Sources said on 23 September that the Panther and other UAS now under development will eliminate their future use from the service's vessels.