Israel revisits BPI UAV concept

On the subject of air-launched BPI, this small report appeared on one of the international wires earlier today:

Israel develops the largest drone with the world
AFP 1/8/07

Israel is currently developing the world’s largest UAV, which would be used for long-range missions and to destroy ballistic missiles during their launch phase, according to an Israeli press spokesman.

As with the F-15/PAC-3 concept, this would probably be based on the air vehicle being kept airborne along one’s border at time of heightened tension, not 365/24/7. Of course, whereas the F-15/PAC-3 system would most likely be deployed to those theaters where it could do most benefit in a BPI role (rather than retained in the CONUS, where it would have no chance of intercepting an incoming TBM), the Israeli system would clearly be of benefit over pretty much any part of Israel…