Elbit: Israeli UAVs covering Iraqi, Afghani skies

Small Israeli pilotless planes are gathering intelligence for US-led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, the manufacturer said in a statement Monday. Elbit Systems, one of Israel's leading defense electronics companies, said the little "Skylark" can be carried and operated by a single soldier, covering an area within a range of 10 kilometers day or night, the company said. "Skylark is operational and currently deployed in the global war on terror in Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan," the statement said. It described the Skylark as suited for "close range, beyond-the-next hill, counter-terror missions." There was no immediate comment from US military officials.