IAF shoots down own drone due to malfunction

Israel Air Force shoots down one of its own UAVs over Mediterranean due to engine malfunction.

By Yoav Zitun

 

An Air Force Shoval-type drone engaged in routine activity was shot down over the sea due to an engine malfunction on Saturday. IAF helicopters searched for its remains in the sea between Tel Aviv and Netanya.

פצצת תאורה מול חוף נתניה  (צילום: רוני גיל-עד)

Illuminating bomb over Netanya – Photo: Roni Gil-Ad

Web surfers reported that illuminating bombs were fired over coastal cities as part of the search.

Shoval is one of Israel’s largest and most advanced drones.

The IAF has launched an investigation to discover out the reason for the malfunction. It was also decided to ground all Shoval UAVs.

The IDF stressed this is not the first time the IAF downs a drone in a controlled manner.

Last year, an Eitan-type Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Israel‘s largest drone, crashed near Moshav Yesodot. There were no injuries.

The investigation showed the incident was apparently the result of both a human error and a technical malfunction. The drone apparently crashed after one of its wings fell off, according to the initial investigation.

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4378893,00.html