Israel's Point Blank, the country's new drone, has been unveiled.
(Photo : Screenshot from Israel Aerospace Industries' official YouTube video )
Israel's Point Blank Drone Looks Like X-Wing From 'Star Wars'! US to Receive Prototypes
Technically, IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) calls this new defense weapon a missile.
However, there are various reasons why many experts prefer calling Point Blank a drone.
In comparison, a missile is a pre-programmed aerial weapon designed to destroy a target.
The Israel Aerospace Industries unveils a new, in-development, hand-launched guided missile, dubbed Point Blank, that can hover or loiter in the air before attacking a target, or land vertically back to the soldier’s hand. pic.twitter.com/58eAj6dZbw
— Global Defense Insight (@Defense_Talks) January 19, 2023
On the other hand, a drone is an aircraft that can be controlled by humans remotely.
Now, the new Point Blank missile's characteristics are more similar to a drone instead of a missile.
Israel's Point Blank Drone Looks Like X-Wing From 'Star Wars'!
According to Interesting Engineering's latest report, the new Point Blank can take off and land vertically like a missile.
(Photo : Screenshot from Israel Aerospace Industries' official YouTube video )
Israel's Point Blank Drone Looks Like X-Wing From 'Star Wars'! US to Receive Prototypes
Also Read: US Air Force Successfully Tests Subsonic Drone With Range of up to 3,500 Miles
But, unlike missiles-which will likely be destroyed after hitting their targets-Point Blank can be recovered and re-used after making an impact with its target.
Aside from this, Israeli soldiers can also control this missile remotely, thanks to it being an optically-guided aerial weapon.
With all these features, many people can say that Point Blank is like a "kamikaze" drone.
When it comes to the design, the new Point Blank drone looks like a small version of the X-Wing; a fictional aircraft in the movie franchise "Star Wars."
The Israel Aerospace Industries unveils a new, in-development, hand-launched guided missile, dubbed Point Blank, that can hover or loiter in the air before attacking a target, or land vertically back to the soldier’s hand. A multi-year contract has been signed with the US DoD. pic.twitter.com/pvql80R0Nv
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) January 19, 2023
It has four wings which are set up in an X position. These wings have propellers that can guide the missile so that it can efficiently hit its target.
US to Receive Point Blank Prototypes
Via its official press release, Israel Aerospace Industries announced that the United States would soon receive Point Blank prototypes.
The drone's prototype, ROC-X, will be a version of the aircraft that meets specific US DoD requirements.
"IAI will provide the first prototypes and training to DoD for Operational Testing & Evaluation in FY 23," said the agency.
If you want to see the new Point Blank drone in action, you can watch the YouTube video below.
While Israel is enhancing its defense through new drones, other countries are also improving their defense techs.
Recently, Canada's billion-dollar deal for F-35 stealth fighter jets has been secured.
We also reported that the new Boeing F-15X could be the U.S. fighter jet that carries the most missiles.
For more news updates about drones and other defense innovations, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
Related Article: Researchers Develop Remote-Sensing Drones to Identify Landmines, Something that May Help Ukraine
