Article Posted on : - Oct 20, 2010

The new Ultra Light MiniPoP. An IAI photo

TEL AVIV (BNS): Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled a lightweight MiniPOP (plug-in optronic payload) which can be used in small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and also by ground soldiers.

The Ultra Light MiniPOP, with 25 per cent reduced weight compared to its predecessors, uses lightweight metals like Magnesium and Titanium.

It is designed to be utilised by small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which demand long endurance; and by Special Ground Forces for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISTAR) missions. The system can be handled and operated by a single soldier, IAI said.

A MiniPOP is a lightweight payload for day/night observation system designed for military, para-military and civilian applications. The payload provides real-time image, automatic video tracker capabilities and precise target geo-location for small platforms including small UAVs, armoured vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles and naval vessels.