Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a line of Hovering Air Vehicles (HAV’s).
The first system in this line is the – Electric Tethered Observation Platform (ETOP). The HAV’s are designed for both military and civilian applications.
The Electric Tethered Observation Platform (ETOP) is a purely electric-powered, tethered airborne platform utilized for observation and other applications, which can be deployed from a static or moving ground vehicle or station. Under most circumstances, a HAV must carry an energy source, which can be extremely heavy, but the ETOP provides an innovative solution to this problem by simply leaving its energy source on the ground.
The platform is generated by electric-powered propellers, which can hover at a predetermined altitude above ground for long periods of time. Hovering time is limited only by the ground platform’s energy Storage capability.
The ETOP can carry a payload of up to 20Kg at a maximum altitude of 100m and does not need an operator.
Source: I-HLS