The Mavic
Photo: Shutterstock
IDF infantry company commanders to receive drones
Hundreds of Mavic civilian drones have been purchased for IDF infantry officers and will be put into service beginning in August, joining the larger and heavier Matrix quadcopter that has already been incorporated into the military; while neither of the civilian drones are suited for combat operations, the IDF is still waiting to receive the first Israeli-made combat-ready UAV, the Tzur.
The IDF has recently purchased hundreds of Mavic drones that are set to be put to use by ground force company commanders in West Bank border areas in the coming months.
The acquisition of the civilian quadcopters constitutes the largest of its kind since the aircraft were first integrated into the military a few years ago.
Drones in the IDF (צילום: דובר צה"ל)
The drones are scheduled to reach the commanders in August while over the course of the next few weeks, training for the "drone flying" profession will commence in various infantry battalions.
Each drone team will consist of three soldiers who will receive training in drone operating at the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps's school Sayarim in the Arava region.
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The Mavic drone is the smallest to have thus far become operational in the army, with its weight and size providing a chief advantage when compared with the Phantom drone which the IDF currently uses.
The Mavic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) weighs a mere 450g, half the weight of the Phantom, enabling its controller to easily carry it and launch it into the skies in less than a minute.
The Mavic (Photo: Shutterstock)
In addition to the Mavic, the IDF also purchased a large number of even newer Matrix drones, also a four-bladed quadcopter, which will be put to use in multiple regions.
The larger and stronger Matrix is considered the most professional drone, with capabilities allowing it to function in hostile weather conditions and hover in the air, take photographs and transmit images through its lense for 40 minutes—double the amount of time that the Mavic can do.
Neither the Matrix nor the Mavic will be used for combat purposes, and their functions will be strictly consigned to intelligence gathering. Moreover, given that they are intended for civilian use, their cameras are only equipped to function in daylight.
Photo: Shutterstock
Nevertheless, the IDF is in the midst of developing the first Israeli-made drone for combat use, the Tzur. Considerably larger than standard civilian drones, the final model of the Tzur is expected to weigh about 10-15 kilograms, with its blades spanning 1.5 meters.
It has a wide range of capabilities, including quality visual surveillance, both in daytime and nighttime, and transportation of supplies and ammunition. It will be operable at a distance of up to ten kilometers, capable of flying to heights of hundreds of meters, and carrying several kilograms of cargo.
