BirdEye 650D
Israel Aerospace Industries · Israel · also known as IAI BirdEye 650D · Updated
BirdEye 650D is a small tactical unmanned aircraft system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), offering long endurance and real-time day/night imagery for low-echelon units. IAI describes it as an advanced, affordable system for urban operations and over-the-hill intelligence, with three aircraft and their ground equipment carried on a single vehicle.
Overview
IAI built the BirdEye 650D as a longer-endurance development of its IAI BirdEye tactical UAS family, aimed at units that need persistent, independent reconnaissance without relying on higher-echelon intelligence assets. A complete BirdEye 650D system comprises three aircraft together with their ground control and support equipment, all mounted on one vehicle, and can be operated by a team of three from fixed or portable terminals. IAI positions the system for a wide range of military missions — reconnaissance (ISTAR), urban operations, counter-terrorism, patrol and convoy escort, radio relay and law enforcement — as well as civil applications such as mapping, pipeline and power-line monitoring, water and pollution management, disaster-area surveillance, mining and precision agriculture.
Design and capabilities
IAI's specification sheet gives the BirdEye 650D a 4 m wingspan, a maximum take-off weight of 30 kg and a payload capacity of up to 5.5 kg, powered by a gasoline-fuelled internal combustion engine. The system quotes an endurance of up to 15 hours and a range of 150 km, with a maximum speed of 80 knots true airspeed (about 148 km/h) and a loiter speed of 40 knots (about 74 km/h). Maximum operating altitude is 15,000 ft (about 4,570 m) above ground level. The aircraft takes off from a pneumatic launcher and is recovered by parachute and airbag, with a fail-safe flip manoeuvre that protects the payload on landing; take-off and landing are fully automated. IAI credits the design with a low visual and acoustic signature, and the aircraft carries a stabilized day/night electro-optical and infrared payload with a moving-target tracker for wide-area coverage.
Use cases
IAI positions the BirdEye 650D for ISTAR, urban operations, counter-terrorism, patrol and convoy escort, communications relay and law-enforcement missions, as well as civil roles such as mapping, infrastructure monitoring, environmental and pollution management, disaster-area surveillance, mining support and precision agriculture.
Frequently asked questions
How long can the BirdEye 650D fly?
IAI quotes an endurance of up to 15 hours.
What is the range of the BirdEye 650D?
IAI gives a range of 150 km.
How many aircraft come with a BirdEye 650D system?
Three aircraft, together with their ground control and support equipment, mounted on a single vehicle.
How does the BirdEye 650D take off and land?
It takes off from a pneumatic launcher and is recovered by parachute and airbag, with a fail-safe flip manoeuvre to protect the payload.
What payload does the BirdEye 650D carry?
A stabilized day/night electro-optical and infrared payload with a moving-target tracker, up to 5.5 kg.
