Israel Aerospace Industries Tests New Armed Drone With Machine Gun
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Israel Aerospace Industries and SIG Sauer successfully tested the FIRE STORM 250, a new armed drone capable of flying for three hours and carrying 200 rounds. The drone, equipped with an M250 machine gun, can identify and engage targets from a distance. Its vertical take-off and landing capabilities make it suitable for reconnaissance and support missions. No operational service date with the Israeli military has been announced.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- IAI and SIG Sauer tested the new FIRE STORM 250 armed drone with a machine gun.
- The drone can fly for three hours and carry 200 rounds of ammunition.
- It uses an M250 machine gun to engage targets between 400 and 600 meters.
- Real-time video feeds allow human operators to authorize firing.
- The drone is designed for reconnaissance, border surveillance, and ground support.
- No operational service date with the Israeli military has been announced.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and American arms manufacturer SIG Sauer have successfully completed live-fire tests of the FIRE STORM 250, a new armed military drone equipped with a machine gun. Unveiled at the AUSA defense exhibition in Washington, the drone can stay airborne for up to three hours and carry 200 rounds of ammunition. During trials conducted in Israel, the drone flew over a simulated battlefield, identified targets using its integrated camera, and engaged them from various altitudes and distances. The system links an aerial platform developed by IAI with a remotely controlled weapon station from SIG Sauer, fitted with an M250 machine gun. According to specifications, this weapon can hit targets between 400 and 600 meters away when the drone operates at an altitude of approximately 200 meters. Sensor data is transmitted in real-time to an operator who authorizes firing. The drone's vertical take-off and landing capability makes it suitable for reconnaissance, border surveillance, and ground force support missions. This innovation is part of IAI's activities, a state-owned Israeli defense contractor also known as the prime contractor for the Arrow anti-missile defense system. IAI, along with other major Israeli defense firms like Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, supplies the Ministry of Defense. Rafael is the primary manufacturer of the Iron Dome system, while Elbit contributes to command and control systems and other military programs. These companies also participate in the Arrow system's development. The new drone exemplifies Israel's diverse military technology, combining surveillance with firepower. No operational service date with the Israeli military has been announced.