Tactical small UAV system providing battalion and brigade-level reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition capability. The Skylark 3 is the largest member of Elbit's Skylark family (which includes the hand-launched Skylark 1 and 2), featuring a 5.8-metre wingspan, endurance of 6 hours, operational range of 80 km, and maximum altitude of 18,000 feet. Powered by an electric motor for minimal acoustic and thermal signature. Payload includes a stabilised EO/IR gimbal with continuous zoom and laser pointer for target designation. Launched from a vehicle-mounted pneumatic launcher and recovered via deep stall or parachute. The system includes a ground control station, data terminal, and automatic takeoff/landing capability. The Skylark family has been one of the most successful small tactical UAV programmes globally, with the IDF and numerous export customers relying on it for real-time tactical intelligence at the small unit level.
![Elbit Systems logo](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="60" viewBox="0 0 200 60"><rect width="200" height="60" fill="%23111"/><text x="100" y="38" font-family="Arial" font-weight="bold" font-size="14" fill="%23c8a84b" text-anchor="middle">ELBIT SYSTEMS</text></svg>)
- Long endurance for a man-portable system
- Silent electric motor; difficult to detect from ground
- Real-time HD video and IR imagery to ground station
- Quick launch (10 minutes setup) by 2-person team
- No armed capability; ISR only
- Vulnerable to electronic jamming
- Small payload limits sensor quality vs. larger UAVs
- Wind-sensitive due to light weight
Sign in to join the discussion and rate this weapon system
SIGN INAmmunition capacity versus protection trade-off here reflects deliberate doctrinal choices worth examining.
Combat management system interoperability with allied platforms is where this design pays dividends in coalition operations.
Combat management system interoperability with allied platforms is where this design pays dividends in coalition operations.
Network integration allows this platform to function as a sensor node as much as a strike platform.