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The IAI Eitan (איתן – "Steadfast"; export designation Heron TP) is an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft developed in Israel in the early 21st century by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries.Egozi 2008 The aircraft is a newer version of the IAI Heron. Along with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance ( ISTR), Israeli IAI Eitan also capable of holding armed roles. There are conflicting reports on whether the exported Eitan's are unarmed or armed.
The Eitan was publicly unveiled at a media event at Tel Nof Airbase on 8 October 2007.Egozi 2007Opall-Rome 2007 The sensors fitted on this occasion included a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mounted in a pod on the aircraft's belly, a multi-sensor payload carried under its nose, and two conformal signals intelligence (SIGINT) arrays. Additional sensors may be carried at the ends of the tail booms. Analysis of the configuration presented to the media suggests an aircraft intended for deep penetration roles and on-board SIGINT processing capability. However, at the media event an IAF official stated that IAI and the IAF had tested "all kinds of payloads, in all kinds of configuration schemes." Apart from its Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) role, the Eitan may also be used for aerial refuelling, and armed roles including missile defence and long-range strategic strike."Israel AF Hones Manned-UAV Mix"
In February 2010 the Israeli Air Force unveiled its new fleet of Eitans. The first unit to operate the type, 210 Squadron, was inaugurated at Tel Nof in December 2010. In January 2012, an Eitan drone crashed near Hafetz Haim during tests of new payloads; no injuries were reported.
The IDF does not comment on the arming of drones, but reports describe the Eitan being used for "armed roles" with missiles "attached to wing hardpoints," as well as for target acquisition. Used allegedly during several operations, will help government-owned IAI market its latest drone models as "combat-proven systems."
In 2011 France selected the IAI Eitan for the French military. The deal was cancelled later in November 2011 by the French senate with the funds being allocated to a joint Franco-British MALE UAV design.
Britain's Royal Air Force considered purchase of IAI Eitan UAVs in 2012. Britain's Royal Air Force considering purchase of Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle - Israel News |Haaretz Daily Newspaper India finalized deal of purchasing 10 Heron TPA in 400 million $. The deal considered to increase strike capability of Indian air force. India is already uses non armed Heron UAV.
India approved a deal of 10 armed Heron TP for $400 million. The drones would supplement the existing fleet of unarmed IAI Heron of the Indian Air Force. However, the proposal was cancelled because of Israeli restrictions on the transfer of advanced technologies that would need to be embedded in the drones. An Israeli source told FlightGlobal in 2017, "The restrictions that the Israeli Ministry of Defense attaches to the export of this advanced UAV (Heron TP) are many, and in such a close competition may be a crucial factor."
It was reported in May 2021 that the Indian Army was negotiating with IAI to lease 4 units of Heron TP UAVs under the emergency procurement. The drones would be leased for three years and 2 units would arrive by August. However, after contract signing, it was corrected that the drones would not be leased but purchased and the variant is Heron Mk2.
In May 2020, Greece signed a deal for the lease of 3 Heron TP for €39 million. As part of the agreement, the IMOD will lease the Heron system in its maritime configuration to Greece over three years, with an option to purchase the system upon completion of the leasing period.
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