IDF Drone Crashed in Southern Gaza

This is an IDF “Sky Rider” UAV, operated by the Artillery Corps. The IDF is looking into the incident. Hamas reported it has collected the fragments

IDF Drone Crashed in Southern Gaza

(Photo: Meir Azulay)

An IDF “Sky Rider” unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed in southern Gaza due to a technical malfunction. The IDF is looking into the incident in order to figure out what led to the crash. This is a tactical UAV operated by the Artillery Corps. Hamas has reported its members collected the fragments of the crashed drone.

This is not the first time this type of UAV has crashed in Gaza. Just in last November a similar incident occurred when the “Sky Rider” UAV crashed in the Gaza strip.

The “Sky Rider” UAV is the smallest one in the IDF arsenal, in use by the IDF's Artillery Corps. It severs for collection information that assists the ground forces. A few months ago, “IsraelDefense” magazine has published that the Artillery Corps is planning on establishing a designated training for the "Sky Rider" unit. The complex will include trainers for training of the lone warrior and team trainers which will enable virtual piloting of the UAV’s using simulators.

In addition, a new and advanced UAV has recently entered the IDF arsenal. “2nd generation Sky Rider” is a UAV developed by the Technological Division and the Weapons Department of the Ground Arm HQ and is supplied by Elbit Systems. The instrument is currently in the process of integration and testing, and is meant to provide operational technological advantages including improvements in the camera of the UAV. The unit, which recently moved from Palmachim Airbase to Ramon, is planning to increase the manpower of the regular service and reserves.