Israel Unveils Armed Drone FIRE STORM 250 With Machine Gun
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and SIG SAUER have tested the FIRE STORM 250, an armed drone capable of three hours of flight time and equipped with an M250 machine gun. Presented at a Washington defense exhibition, the drone can perform surveillance, target acquisition, and engage targets under human control. Its vertical takeoff and landing ability and multi-fuel engine allow for flexible deployment and operation in field conditions for various military tasks.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- IAI and SIG SAUER tested the FIRE STORM 250 drone with an M250 machine gun.
- The drone can fly for up to three hours and carries 200 rounds of ammunition.
- It combines surveillance, target acquisition, and firing capabilities on one platform.
- The system allows for vertical takeoff and landing, enabling forward deployment.
- Human operators retain full control and authorization for weapon use.
- The drone is designed for tasks including troop protection and border security.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and SIG SAUER have completed tests of the FIRE STORM 250, a new unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a machine gun and capable of staying airborne for up to three hours. The system was presented at the AUSA defense exhibition in Washington. On October 13, Ynet published details and a video demonstrating the drone's capabilities, showing it hovering over a simulated battlefield, identifying targets with its onboard camera, and engaging them with single and semi-automatic fire from various distances and altitudes. The FIRE STORM 250 integrates IAI's unmanned platform with SIG SAUER's remotely operated MICROLIGHT combat module, which houses an M250 machine gun. The drone carries 200 rounds of ammunition, with the total weapon system, including the module, gun, and ammo, weighing approximately 24 kilograms.
A key feature of the FIRE STORM 250 is its ability to combine surveillance, target acquisition, and firing functions on a single platform. Sensor and fire control data are transmitted to an operator who receives real-time imagery, target tracking information, and potential attack options. IAI emphasizes that human operators maintain full control and the exclusive authority to authorize firing. The drone's vertical takeoff and landing capability eliminates the need for a runway, allowing for deployment directly from forward positions in field conditions. It is powered by a multi-fuel internal combustion engine that can be refueled in the field using standard military fuels, avoiding lengthy battery recharging.
The new system is designed for a range of military tasks, including surveillance and fire support for maneuvering units, intelligence gathering, border and troop protection, guarding strategic sites, and special operations. According to the developers, multiple FIRE STORM 250 units can operate simultaneously for continuous day and night surveillance. Moshe Levi, Vice President of IAI and head of the military aircraft division, stated that the FIRE STORM 250 integrates "information gathering, decision-making, and action in an operational environment" while preserving human control over weapon deployment decisions.
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