A leading U.S. energy contractor has procured an Israeli
unmanned air vehicle for operations in Africa.
Israeli industry sources said the U.S.-based ChevronTexaco has signed a
deal to procure an Israeli UAV from Aeronautics Defense Systems. The UAV
was described as the Aerostar tactical vehicle and meant to maintain
reconnaissance over an oil field operated by Chevron in Angola.
The Tel Aviv-based Globes daily said the contract called for the use of
the Aerostar for two years, Middle East Newsline reported. The contract, which took 18 months to complete,
called for several platforms as part of the UAV system and ground station.
Aeronautics, which employs 200 people, will produce the Aerostar in its
facility in Yavne Israel. The company has also developed the Universal
Miniature Avionics System to improve UAV avionics.