IAI introduces 'MultiFlyer' small helicopter UAV designed for non-military tasks

The system is said to be suitable for such missions as monitoring disaster areas, guiding search and rescue units, controlling traffic at mass events, providing security, and enforcing the law

Photo: IAI

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on Monday introduced MultiFlyer, a squadron of small unmanned helicopters that can carry out a large range of non-military tasks. 

MultiFlyer, which is capable of advanced monitoring of large areas, is based on commercial, off-the-shelf helicopter UAVs from Alpha Unmanned Systems integrated with components from IAI and several Israeli startup companies. The command and control system was designed by Simplex, and the area scanning technologies are powered by Sightec. 

The system can be used, for example, to monitor disaster areas, guide rescue units during lifesaving missions, control traffic at mass events, secure sensitive facilities, enforce the law, and survey large agricultural or marine areas, IAI said. 

IAI's EVP and CEO of the Military Aircraft Division, Moshe Levy, said “IAI is a leader of trailblazing technologies with UAV experience spanning 50 years and we are constantly seeking additional areas in which we can invest our R&D capabilities. MultiFlyer is a significant milestone in this respect and we anticipate more developments in this field.”

MultiFlyer transforms what would otherwise be several isolated UAV missions into a cloud of information. MultiFlyer can be activated from a tablet or smartphone that serves as a single point of control of several synchronized missions including automated takeoff and landing, flight routes, mission management, and others. The system network connection is secured to allow usage by several people simultaneously. The MultiFlyer system can be used with different types of UAVs and drones as well as carry different types of payloads, according to IAI.

Eric Freeman, CEO of Alpha Unmanned Systems, commented “Alpha is delighted to be the platform of choice for this world-leading initiative. Reliable and versatile platforms that can fly at least 90 to 150 minutes are essential for a variety of missions. Alpha helicopters make many more missions possible and it is an honor to support IAI.”

The CEO of Simplex, Shai Levy, said “Simplex is proud of our collaboration with IAI to develop this system. The command and control system, known as the Flightops, is designed to enable the control of a large number of UAVs autonomously and allow the operator to focus on the mission at hand.”

Sightec's CEO Roy Shmuel stated that “Sightec is a leading creator of AI-powered optical scanning solutions for autonomous systems. The use of our technology as part of the MultiFlyer UAV system enables the autonomous and efficient scanning of large areas of territory.” 

Photo: IAI

img
Rare-earth elements between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China
The Eastern seas after Afghanistan: the UK and Australia come to the rescue of the United States in a clumsy way
The failure of the great games in Afghanistan from the 19th century to the present day
Russia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. The intelligence services organize and investigate