Barely half a year after its debut at the Paris Air Show, the Israeli Air Force’s cutting-edge surveillance aircraft, the Oron, has now reached full operational status. Officials from the Defense Ministry capitalized on the sense of urgency brought about by the conflict in Gaza to expedite the typically lengthy approval process, compressing it from months to mere days.
Equipped with advanced capabilities, the Oron stands ready to provide immediate aerial support for specialized counter-terrorism operations in Jenin, conduct reconnaissance missions in Rafah to root out Hamas operatives concealed among civilian populations, monitor weapons shipments from Iran to Iraq, identify key figures within the Iranian nuclear program, and even target terrorist vehicles amidst the urban landscape of Beirut, all within a single flight. Operating at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet, the Oron offers unparalleled versatility and reach.
In recent months, the Oron has been deployed across various operational theaters, with each sortie lasting anywhere from 5 to 10 hours, covering vast distances in the process. With a price tag of $1 billion, the Oron serves the needs of Military Intelligence, the Air Force, and the Navy alike.
Boaz Levy, the CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, expressed pride in the development and production of the Oron, which now supplements the company’s existing fleet of aircraft. “This achievement underscores the ingenuity of our engineers, who have harnessed miniaturization technologies alongside AI-driven algorithms and software solutions,” Levy remarked, highlighting the technological advancements underpinning the Oron’s capabilities.
{Matzav.com Israel}
