Warplanes: Russia Playing Catch-Up In UAVs

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May 12,2008: Russia is developing a modern, half ton UAV, the Dan-Baruk [PHOTO]. It's 14 feet long, with a 18 foot wingspan. It can operate up to 150 kilometers from its base station and at an altitude of up to 18,000 feet. While mainly for reconnaissance and spotting targets, it can also carry two small missiles (smaller than the Hellfire, probably laser homing anti-tank missiles.) This system appears similar to the Israeli Hermes 450 (which has an endurance of 20 hours and can carry two Hellfire missiles in place of two fuel tanks.) The Dan-Baruk is still several years away from service, while the Hermes 450 has been in service for six years.