New Israeli Drone Can Reach Iran

(CBS/ AP)  Israel's air force on Sunday introduced a fleet of huge pilotless planes that can remain in the air for a full day and fly as far as the Persian Gulf, putting rival Iran within its range.

The Heron TP drones have a wingspan of 86 feet, making them the size of Boeing 737 passenger jets and the largest unmanned aircraft in Israel's military. The planes can fly at least 20 consecutive hours and are primarily used for surveillance and carrying diverse payloads.

At the fleet's inauguration ceremony at a sprawling air base in central Israel, the drone dwarfed an F-15 fighter jet parked beside it. The unmanned plane resembles its predecessor, the Heron, but can fly higher, reaching an altitude of more than 40,000 feet, and remain in the air longer.

"With the inauguration of the Heron TP, we are realizing the air force's dream," said Brig. Gen. Amikam Norkin, head of the base that will operate the drones. "The Heron TP is a technological and operational breakthrough."

Israeli officials refused to say how large the new fleet is or whether the planes were designed for use against Iran, but stressed it was versatile and could adapt to new missions. The plane's maker, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries, has said it is capable of reaching the Persian Gulf, which would put Iran within its range.

"The Heron TP has the potential to be able to conduct new missions down the line as they become relevant," said Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan, commander of Israel's air force.

Israel believes Tehran is trying to develop nuclear weapons and has repeatedly hinted it could strike Iran if diplomatic efforts to curb the nuclear program fail.

"The announcement by Israel of the capability of Israeli drones is intended to make clear what could happen if the U.N. fails to act," said CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk, "but neither Israel nor the U.S. believe that a preemptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is the preferred option."

Israeli defense officials said the Heron TP could be a useful tool against Iran, whose leaders have repeatedly called for the Jewish state's destruction. In addition to providing surveillance, the aircraft can jam enemy communications as well as assist in communications between ground control and manned air force planes.

The officials requested anonymity because they were discussing sensitive military technology.

The Heron TP has been in development for about a decade, but the aircraft first saw action during Israel's offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip just over a year ago.

Palestinian witnesses have long claimed that Israeli drones fire missiles in Gaza, both before and during the Israeli offensive. Israel has never confirmed that its unmanned aircraft are capable of firing missiles.

Israel first began using drones in the early 1970s, and its fleet has steadily increased since then. The unmanned planes are now considered an integral part of the military and tend to accompany air and ground forces on various missions.

[wdh3007]

New long range advanced drones now all Israel needs is a strategic missle defense shield and they should be good to go.

[JavMD]

ATTENTION: (MSNBC headlines")

"TEHRAN, Iran - Iran said Monday it plans to build two new uranium enrichment facilities deep inside mountains to protect them from attack, a new challenge to Western powers trying to curb Tehran's nuclear program for fear it is aimed at making weapons.

[JavMD]

well, all Israel needs is the larger MOAB to really knock out IRAN.

I truly wonder if one has already been shipped to Israel for their R&D test usage, lol

[irreverent1-2009]

Apparently countries like Iran neglected installing a missile defense shield.

[honest_pols]

RELIGION:

The scourge of mankind.

"...hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

"...poisons and perverts virtually all aspects of human affairs, human relations, thinking, reasoning and justifies the "murder-and-die-for" mindset.

"... is causing our Apocalyptic end."

Religion poisons everything.

[inketolstoy]

Yeah, I realy hate all those religious nut jobs preaching peace and feeding the poor. And we should throw out any of the ideas of philosophers and scientists like Decarte and Mendle because they were poisoned by religion. Give me the peaceful logic of Stalin, Mao and Hitler. Thank goodness hypocrisy is only for believers.

[i_mean_u]

well, obviously. but that isn't the point any longer... the point is whether or not a republic is better for its citizens and for the world than a theocracy, and the difference between israel and the ummah is profound. israel has a multiparty political system, iran is a mystic-led police state, endorsed by the lowest of the low on the cbs news board...

[honest_pols]

Part 2
IRAN AND ISRAEL:
WHAT IS THE LESSER OF THE MULTI-EVIL SITUATION AT HAND?

Can anyone tell us whose brand-named God is the TRUEST, WISEST AND BEST, and whose is the WRONGEST, DUMBEST AND WORST?

Hasn't religion and the religious approach to human affairs, to human relations and to human existence, failed rather miserably?

Can we (whether simply or 'sophisticatedly') justifiably invoke the

"In the name of (my)God" clause,

whenever we wish for or believe something?


In summary, religion and the mindset that religious thinking creates, ASSURES US of continuing conflict, nuclear war, and not unlikely, our TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

The Midddle East, said to be the cradle of Western Civilization, is fast becoming its grave.

With the advent of nuclear, biological, chemical, and other weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of rogue, theocratic nations as Iran, and/or into religio-fascist individuals' hands, we should EXPECT that doomsday scenario to visit us - and SOONER than we think!


The purpose of the forgoing is to strengthen the case for global prohibition of teaching religious hate, religious intolerance and prejudice, and to ultimately eliminate what is believed to be encumbering and crippling religious mindsets in our fellow humans. It is hoped that through education, science and logic, the betterment of mankind can be achieved.

[JavMD]

(and the Lord responds): I have sent my only Son among you and has done nothing but preached peace, for those who not listen, we shook the dust off our sandles and moved to the next group. My followers in Rome have constantly preached 'peace'. I was hoping the Peacenik generation of the 70s would take hold, but now I'll watch the events. Only then will I share in the coming Judgement day !
Now get back to church and pray for peace!

[mrjustice1]

JavMD
You wouldn't be making reference to that church in Rome that has a history of murdering millions of innocent South American, African and North American Natives, sent crusades to murder both Jews and Moslems in the MidEast, slaughtered millions in Europe, and that enriched and empowered itself from the thievery and torture of its victims, to mention a few of its crimes against humanity in its bloody history, would you?

[taiotoshi8602]

wow! I haven't seen the word "anti-semite" come out yet .... the usual response to anyone who dares say anything bad about Israel. A large part of the problem is that religious nuts (yes, fanatics) in America believe Israelis are "god's choosen people" and thus the US's unwaivering support and protection of Israel. If the US would either back off or force Israel to stand down (take Palestine for example) either action would go a long way to toward resolving the tension in the middle east. Yes, I know that this malice has existed for centuries but it seems to me this is the thread that just might unravel the mess that is the middle east .... but just call me an anti-semite (actually, those that throw that term around really ought to look up its meaning, they may be quite surprised). Peace All

[i_mean_u]

"peace all"... lol what a load....

the full context of near eastern racism and theological madness is what required the UN to recognize the partition of british palestine into muslim and non-muslim sectors, just as british india was partitioned...

jihadists have attacked civilians on every populated continent and have attacked the adherents of every religion...

the love shown on this cbs news board for all sorts of police states in the muslim world is even more disgusting when it dresses itself in pseudo-hippie crapola...

[inventagod]

Seems this is an overt terrorist threat from some dangerous brown people.
I say NUKE EM!

[i_mean_u]

there was also a ventingtard... maybe that was the name for business purposes...

[i_mean_u]

i was once in las vegas and the pimps were handing out copies of the iranian constitution on the street in case any tourists wanted to come party with these ladies...

[Overruled1]

It seems to me that Israel already has the very same weapons they claim to be frightened of...Since Israel also does not allow international inspections of their nuclear facility.
I really don't care who blows who up there, all I care about is the fact that the U.S. has been paying way too much in foreign aid to a country that produces its own weapons.
A full 1/3 goes to Israel. Thats about 10-15 million dollars daily.
We need that money in America, not elsewhere.
We have a WTC to rebuild, and a bridge to complete in the west.

[i_mean_u]

gee i wonder why you are overruled

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

i agree 100% no more taxes to prop up a welfare state.