Searcher

Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1996
Total Production : ?

The Searcher is a multi mission tactical Unmanned Air System (UAS) used for surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery adjustment and damage assessment and developed by IAI in the 1990s. It was designed to meet present and future requirements for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in support of the Israel Air Force as well as export customers. The air vehicle design provides excellent engine and aerodynamics performance and handling qualities while the ground control station was designed to provide compatibility with other UAV systems produced by Israel. So far the Searcher family includes the Mk I, Mk II and Mk III models.

The Searcher air vehicles are equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors (EO/IR) delivering real-time imagery and video collected over the battlefield or hostile territory. Besides, it can be fitted with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) replacing the EO/IR sensors. Communications and control between the UAV and the ground control center are done via a line-of-sight datalink or an airborne data relay for beyond line of sight operations. In the event of communications via datalink are lost the air vehicle will return automatically to its base. The Searcher's takeoff and landing operations do not require the operator because they are fully automated.

Model	Status	Year	Produced
Searcher II	Active	2003	?
Searcher III	Active	2010	?

Searcher II

Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Also Known As : Searcher Mk II
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2003
Total Production : ?
Unitary Cost : USD $6.0 million

The Searcher Mk II, also known as Searcher II, UAV was deployed with the Israel Air Force in the 2000s carrying out ground surveillance missions replacing its predecessor the Searcher Mk I. The air vehicle can remain airborne for 15 hours at ranges of 250 kilometers carrying a 100 kg payload. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has exported the Searcher II to Russia and Spain in the 2008-2010 timeframe.

Operators

Country	Status	State	Notes
India	Active	108
Israel	Active	?
Russia	Active	2	Unmanned aerial system purchased along with Bird Eye 400 and I-view MK150 UAVs in April 2009 to meet the requirements for tactical reconnaissance UAVs to provide reliable battlefield intelligence. The lack of such capability was a grave deficiency experienced by the Russian Armed Forces during the South Ossetia conflict against Georgia in August 2008.
Spain	Active	?

Specifications

		Notes
Crew	0
Dimensions
Length	5.9 meter
Wingspan	8.6 meter
Mass
Max Takeoff Weight	426 kilogram
Payload	100 kilogram
Performance
Ceiling	6,100 meter
Max Range	250 kilometer
Power
Max Power at TakeOff	73 shp
Time
Flight Endurance	15 hour

Gear


Optronic Systems
MOSP	1

Searcher III

Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Also Known As : Searcher Mk III
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2010
Total Production : ?

The Searcher Mk III, also known as Searcher III, is an improved variant of the Searcher II incorporating winglets, a low noise 4-stroke engine, composite materials to minimized radar cross section (RCS), ease of operation and maintenance, and adverse weather capability. Besides, the Mk III variant introduces two simultaneous Autonomous Take Off and Landing (ATOL) systems and redundant avionics for maximum safety. It can be fitted with the MOSP EO/IR sensor pod or alternatively Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) payload or Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) sensor.

Compared to the Searcher Mk II, the Mk III air vehicle can stay longer airborne and go farther while it carries a heavier payload. In addition, it can also fly higher.

Operators

Country	Status	State	Notes
Azerbaijan	Active	5	Aircraft ordered in 2011
Israel	Active	?

Specifications

		Notes
Crew	0
Number of Engines	1
Dimensions
Length	5.9 meter
Wingspan	8.6 meter
Mass
Max Takeoff Weight	436 kilogram
Payload	120 kilogram
Performance
Ceiling	23,000 foot
Max Range	350 kilometer
Time
Flight Endurance	18 hour