Maker: Israeli 'Drones' Fly Over Iraq

[Eugene]

(Associated Press)

Maker: Israeli 'Drones' Fly Over Iraq
By STEVE WEIZMAN
Associated Press Writer

March 19, 2007, 1:23 PM EDT

JERUSALEM -- Pilotless planes small enough for a single soldier to
carry and operate are gathering intelligence for U.S.-led forces in
Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli manufacturer said Monday.

Elbit Systems, one of Israel's leading defense electronics companies,
said its little "Skylark" can cover an area within a range of 6 miles
day or night. It is about 7 feet long with a wingspan of nearly 8
feet, the company said.

"Skylark is operational and currently deployed in the global war on
terror in Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan," the statement said. It
described the Skylark as suited for "close range, beyond-the-next
hill, counter-terror missions."

Lt. Col. Matthew McLaughlin of CENTCOM, the American command
that handles Iraq and Afghanistan, said the military "would not
confirm the use of the drone," but is always looking for aircraft
with such capabilities.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-israel-spy-plane,0,6319578.story