The order, valued in excess of $50 million includes long-term maintenance contract. The first air vehicle will be delivered shortly.

Machatz 1 will serve as a force multiplier to the Israel Air Force's operational capabilities. It has unique performance characteristics that include the ability to fly at an altitude of 30,000 feet and an endurance of over 40 hours, two major advantages over most other UAVs.

Machatz 1 can carry multiple sensors such as maritime patrol radar, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), COMINT and ELINT systems, etc. The system has automatic launch and recovery and all-weather capabilities.

Moshe Keret, President & CEO of IAI, said "We are proud and pleased to have been selected by Israel's Ministry of Defense to provide the Machatz 1 to the Israel Air Force. This system represents a significant step function for the IAF - widely recognized as leaders in the deployment and integration of UAVs."

This contract is in addition to a contract received in August of 2003, where IAI was selected over bids submitted by other competitors, to operate the Searcher, to provide coverage for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in special surveillance missions utilizing IAI Searcher UAVs.

Machatz 1, marketed under the name HERON has several customers worldwide and is one of the most advanced UAV systems available today.

IAI's Malat Division is one of the worlds leading UAV systems designers and manufacturers. Its UAVs operate in fifteen countries and have accumulated more than 250,000 operational flight hours.

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