Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems Reach New Heights in Israel's Military

The Israeli Air Force's remote piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) have undergone a significant transformation, particularly during the ongoing war, expanding their operational range to include strikes in Iran. According to Lt. Col. K', the outgoing head of the RPAS department in the Air Force, the capability to conduct such missions was fully realized with Operation "Lion's Roar" (עם כלביא). She described the first time manned remote aircraft were dispatched for attacks in Iran as a moment of immense pride, with planes departing from the Palmachim base.

RPAS have become integral to the IDF's operations across all fronts over the past three years, involved in intelligence gathering, targeted assassinations, and strikes. In the past week alone, these systems executed approximately 30 attacks in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Lebanon. They were also involved in the recent assassinations of terrorists Qais Bitoun in Jenin and Muein al-Arabeed in the Gaza Strip.

Lt. Col. K', the first woman to command an RPAS unit, retired after 30 years of service, reflecting on the system's evolution. This includes extending operational reach to Iran, increasing munition capacity, enhancing intelligence gathering, and establishing direct communication between operators and ground forces. She noted that the RPAS unit operated in the shadows until recent years, with its major breakthrough occurring during the war.

The RPAS program began in 1971 with the establishment of Squadron 200 at Palmachim for visual intelligence. The first attack RPAS, the "Zik," was introduced in 1993 and became operational in 2006. By October 7, 2023, the system was capable of more, but its operational range was largely confined to Israel's borders and nearby theaters. The war marked a significant shift, culminating in RPAS missions targeting Iran.

Lt. Col. K' explained that RPAS now attack missile launchers destined for Israel, clearing the way for manned aircraft. This capability was further demonstrated during Operation "Lion's Roar." Beyond range, the war saw a substantial increase in the RPAS's munition-carrying capacity, addressing limitations faced on October 7th. Intelligence gathering has also improved, moving from narrow field-of-view "straw-like" observation to covering vast areas.

A key development early in the war was direct communication between RPAS operators and maneuvering forces. Examples include an operator guiding an RPAS to eliminate an RPG-wielding terrorist threatening Nahal forces in Gaza and another instance where an RPAS neutralized a cell preparing to launch drones against Givati troops. The evolution is also human-centric, with a shift in terminology from "unmanned aerial vehicle" to "manned remote aircraft" and recognition of operators as combatants. Future plans include acquiring new models like the "Shoval" MARK 2 and the Hermes 650, with expectations of further expansion and increased operational hours for the RPAS fleet.