Skylark UAV launch
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In “Dutch, Canadians Purchase Mini-UAVs for Use in Afghanistan,” we noted Canada’s deployment of Elbit Systems’ Skylark mini-UAV to Afghanistan as an interim solution. Now SpaceWar.com reports that a Thales Canada will provide a UAV based on Elbit’s Skylark as Canada’s long-term mini-UAV choice. Other competitors reportedly included IAI’s I-View 50 with its unique parafoil landing system, and Boeing’s larger ScanEagle UAV with its dual land/maritime role. So far, there has been no official announcement from Canada’s DND to confirm this.

The Skylark is a soldier-portable mini-UAV with an electric motor whose quietness and the UAV’s small size makes it extremely difficult to detect. It has an endurance of about 90 minutes, and a range of about 4-5 miles. The Skylark integrates three air vehicles into one backpack and has a ruggedized ground station and communications antenna. It is far too small to carry weapons, but does carry a steerable and stabilized surveillance cameras and its modular design allows fast swap-outs.