May 12,2008:
Russia is developing a modern,
half ton UAV, the Dan-Baruk [PHOTO]. It's 14 feet long, with a 18 foot wingspan. It can
operate up to 150 kilometers from its base station and at an altitude of up to
18,000 feet. While mainly for reconnaissance and spotting targets, it can also
carry two small missiles (smaller than the Hellfire, probably laser homing
anti-tank missiles.) This system appears similar to the Israeli Hermes 450
(which has an endurance of 20 hours and can carry two Hellfire missiles in
place of two fuel tanks.) The Dan-Baruk is still several years away from
service, while the Hermes 450 has been in service for six years.