IAI Pitches Front Engine Panther Drone To South Korea

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is ptiching Front Engine Panther (FE Panther) version of its 67kg-class (148lb) vertical take-off and landing unmanned air vehicle to south Korea.

IAI is teaming with South Korean Hankuk Carbon and will showcase the FE panther at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition from 20-25 October.

IAI will be showcasing FE Panther is powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion system and original Panther air vehicle features all-electric propulsion.

The latest version of the tactical unmanned air vehicle family is constructed of composite materials, and features additional subsystems supplied by Hankuk Carbon.

IAI says the hybrid propulsion system increases the Panther’s payload capacity and flight endurance, by using different power sources optimised for VTOL and cruise performance.

The company noted that its cooperation agreement with Hankuk Carbon also includes working on another gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion system under a project funded by the Korea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation.

“This collaboration will be beneficial to the Republic of South Korea’s military and civilian authorities,” saidOfer Haruvi, chief technology officer at IAI’s Military Aircraft Group.