Tata-Israeli firm tie-up for unmanned aerial vehicles

New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) Tata Advanced Systems today announced that it is exploring opportunities with Israel's Urban Aeronautics to manufacture and market unmanned aerial vehicles in India, which will have both defence and civilian applications.

Based on UrbanAero's patented Francraft (tm) technology, the vehicles will be vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with no exposed rotors, uniquely suited to flying and operating inside of complex urban and natural environments.

''We believe these unmanned vehicles can have multiple applications for defence and civilian purposes in India,'' a Tata Advanced Systems spokesperson said, while making the announcement at the opening day of the DEFEXPO 2008 exhibition here.

Urban Aeronautics's CEO Rafi Yoeli said he was extremely pleased to have joined forces with Tata to exhibit the unique technology, with the plan of eventually being able to bring the Fancraft(tm) revolution to the Indian market.

The Israeli firm is showcasing its technology, including a scale model of its proposed MULE UAV, at the Tata Pavilion at Pragati Maidan .

MULE is a single turbine powered unmanned aircraft for military re-supply and medical evacuation operations with a payload capacity of 250 kg.

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