Article Posted on : - Aug 11, 2011

GHOST - A rotary mini UAV system. Photo: Israel Aerospace Industries.

JERUSALEM (BNS): Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will present the GHOST, an innovative, small hovering unmanned platform at AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America, August 16-19, in Washington, DC.

The unique man-machine interface and operational concept is based on the principles of computer games and makes the system extremely intuitive to operate and requires little training.

"The innovative concepts used to develop GHOST highlight IAI's goal to do its utmost to support the ground forces. GHOST demonstrates IAI's leading technology and know-how gathered through years of experience in unmanned aerial systems," Itzhak Nissan, IAI's President & CEO, was quoted as saying in the IAI news release.

GHOST weighs approximately 4 kg (9 lbs), and provides real-time intelligence to ground forces operating in urban areas.

GHOST is equipped with an automatic vertical takeoff & landing system and can loiter for up to 30 minutes. The system was designed with twin rotary electrical engines so it can be silent and support day and night special operation missions, the release added.

The entire system can be carried in backpacks by two soldiers and includes: two platforms, batteries, and a command and control unit with communications. GHOST is suitable for paramilitary and homeland security applications due to its simplicity and ease of operation.