The Israeli military says a drone that can fly as far as Iran has crashed in central Israel on a routine experimental flight.
The military says there were no injuries in Sunday's crash, and it was investigating the incident.
The Heron TP drone is also known locally as the Eitan. It has a wingspan of 86 feet (26 meters), making it the size of a Boeing 737 passenger jet. It is the largest unmanned aircraft in Israel's military arsenal.
The drone figures to be featured prominently in any potential Israeli operation against Iran and its expanding nuclear program.
Heron TP could provide surveillance, jam enemy communications and connect ground control and manned air force planes. It's unclear if is could carry a deployable payload in a potential strike.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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- Sources: No planned rescue for kidnapped American
- Twisty road to US-Pakistan re-engagement
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


That's what experimental flights are for - to make sure it won't happen on a mission.
Lets hope that the Iranian missiles that they use in response of a Israeli attack ain't experimental and hit their target.
MCR, the Iranians are more likely to use their missles on Assad's foes then the Israelis. Once Assad is gone, the Iranians will have a border to contend with that will serve to protect and harbor anti-ayatollah and anti-Ahmadinejad rebels. Given the nature of Islam, Muslims have much more to fear from each other than a country full of Jewish laboratory geeks and nerds. LMAO!!
Unless Iraq has vanished, Iran and Syria do not share a border.
I absolutely agree with Patriot's comments. There comes a time when you have to stop playing the victim and realize that your policies towards other people attract negativity. It seems like every year there is a new target that is being pushed on the Americans to attack on Israel's behalf. I have a feeling that Syria will be next year, Egypt will be the year after, and so on until we get to Saudi Arabia.
Israel feels unsecure and thinks that a military solution is its only option. There is no military solution to its problems. Opening communication channels with its neighbors and talking about its concerns is the only solution that will suffice in the long term.
Europe used to be just as riddled in regional wars as the Middle East. The Europeans finally realized that war wasn't the answer. Working together towards an inclusive zone of free trade and movement was the only answer, so they formed the EU. Aside from its financial issues, the EU has become a social model. Maybe the Middle East should ditch the wars and look towards peace and trade as a solution.
NO MORE WARS/RACISM/HATE !!!!
As they say of street cars...there is always another one on the way.Israel has the real things and in a real situation will blow down the paper tigers of this little nazi ranting and raving perverted Islamic revolution and its pyscho clerics that make up the current Iran !
Unfortunately, many of the current leaders of nuclear armed Israel are paranoid and psychotic.
Israel, due to its desire to survive, has to be on the cutting edge of military technology. While the US is an ally, it has not always supplied support in Israels wars of survival. In 1948, US support was banned and the few Americans who privately supported Israel were brought up on charges. In 67, the POTUS Johnson told Israel if they attacked first, they would be alone. They did attack first as the Arabs amassed on 3 borders and they were alone against 5 nations and Russian support of Syria.
I hope Israel continues to develop such high tech weaponry. We could benefit from it. I always put the US as #1 but Israel has to be a nation we support and have and will continue to receive benefit back from. Can someone explain that to Obama. Hillary knows it, maybe she should educate the POTUS.
Lar-345817, I don't know what you are smoking but the US has almost always supported Israel in whatever it does, including its current possession of a large nuclear weapons arsenal. For all intents and purposes the United States is nothing more than a province of Israel and a cash box for the billions of US tax dollars in foreign aid given to Israel each year.
Lar-345817: "I always put the US as #1 but Israel has to be a nation we support..."
One question Lar: WHY???
Anything that they can do, we can do by ourselves better and with less blow back. A few weeks ago, I read a story about how Israeli Mossad was impersonating the CIA which endangers Americans and makes us responsible for the consequences. I don't think an "ally/special friend" should paint the target on our backs for their actions. Do you?
Additionally, we have the number 1 military and economy in the world, so what do we need them for? I don't think America needs a country that interferes with our relationships with other nations and puts us in a position where we must be against the rest of the world. We constantly back Israel against the rest of the world and shield them from consequences that they've rightfully earned. This behavior has made us complicit to their actions. Either we know everything and the rest of the world is wrong, or it could be possible that we've bought into this Israel thing too much for our own good. I'm going with the latter.
The most ironic thing happened when the Palestinians were admitted into UNESCO. A congressmen referred to the cutting off of American funds as not in our short term or long term interests, but we have to do it for politics. I respond this by asking: If it isn't in our short term or long term interests, then who's interest is it in?
Also just as troubling, why do the republican debates sound like the candidates are running for president of Israel and not the U.S.? I want to hear them say they will be the American citizens' best friend and not Israel's best friend. I think Ron Paul said it best when he said: Who is Israel? We don't even have a treaty with them.
NO MORE WAR/RACISIM/HATE
WM and Patriot
You are obviously unaware of what happened in 1948 and 1967. After you read about it come back. While we were the first to come out in favor of Israel as a new State, we did not support the war effort in 1948.
In 67, we essentially told Israel to attack first in the build up to the war, but we said they would go alone if the did. And they were alone.
Today we are a big supporter of Israel, but no way in hell does Israel control the US. Those that believe that are anti Semitic. And I say anti Semitic and not anti Zionist because it the people who don't know the difference between Zionism and Judaism that accuse the US of being controlled by Israel.
As to the comment about murdering 10 times more Palestinians. Yes any more Palestinians have died than Israelis. But The Israelis that died were targeted and murdered by Palestinians. The Palestinians that died, died because terrorists murdered Israelis and then hide among the Palestinian civilians who were killed when Israeli military actions against those terrorists killed the civilians. There is a huge difference on the intent and Israel has every justification to kill terrorists that murder Israeli citizens. Blame the Palestinian terrorist for civilian Palestinian deaths, THEY CAUSE THEM.
As to bribing Congressmen, well who hasn't? Anyone with money has and an interest to promote has. It is up to you and I to vote out bribed Congressmen. The Republican candidates bring up Israel a lot because it's a hot topic and Obama has dropped the ball on it many times. He bashed Netanyahu and suggested Israel retreat to the 67 borders, both bad things.
Education will save you
I agree that the US doesn't NEED Israel. We are the strongest nation by far. But Israel has contributed technology; military, commercial and medical that we have used. And Mossad has provided very valuable assets. They are our staunchest and most reliable ally in the Middle East. We have NOT always agreed, but we do most of the time.
Lars
They are no where near our staunchest allies. They have constantly undermined our peace making efforts through settlement building, attacks, etc. There was a recent article on foreignpolicy.com about how they are impersonating the CIA to promote attacks on Iran. Who do you think Iran will hold responsible for these attacks? Our "allies" painted the target on our back so that they don't have to suffer for their actions.
I have to say, any of these autocratic rulers have been a better ally to us than Israel. Even though they were horrible to their own people, the US could depend on their support because they were OUR PUPPETS. When we want a secret prison, we put it in the autocrat's country. When we want to sanction Iranian oil, we tell Saudi Arabia to make up the output difference (even though it would be in their interest to have prices spike). When we want to boost our economy, we sell them second rate weapons at full price. On top of all of this, these oil rich nations host our military bases and are some of the biggest foreign direct investors in our nation.
Additionally, Egypt, Saudi, and Jordanian are valuable intelligence partners to the US.
Due to the aforementioned reasons, I must disagree with your opinion that Israel is our staunchest ally in the region.. Hands down, that title goes to Saudi Arabia due to its economic and political support.
Think about it. If Saudi Arabia won't make up the oil deficit that will be left from sanctioning Iranian oil, would these sanctions be feasible?
The Israelis made up for it 1947-1948 by all the Red Czech and Russians weapons that were shipped to them.
Lar is paid by Israel to post on this site.
Nevada
Thank you. The highest compliment someone can give who disagrees with you is to say that you were paid to say it, because you cannot come up with any sane disagreement. Sad you had to go to your last, obtuse resort.
While I wasn't paid I wish I was. I could use a little beer money.
Uncle Bob
You are correct. No one wanted to support Israel except the Czechs, and the Russians a little. They generally had little backing, and were attacked by 6 sovereign nations the day the country was born. And they were out numbered by about 10 to 1.
lar, to say that israeli controls the us is anti-semetic? if that is the case then call me one, they pay off our politicians and control our media, our government allows it, brainwashes some citizens, but now that we are in debt over our heads the people are waking up and trust me, enough is enough.
Dave294
Can you tell me which politicians were bribed by the Israelis and which media they control? This is something the American people should be aware of.
most politicians and most media... the list that is not controlled is much shorter
I would like to know how Israel developed this weapon. A drone is one of the most expensive weapons to develop. The U.S, with its huge defense budget struggles to develop and upgrade such weapons. But Israel with its large military expendutures finds the money and expertise to develop a very high tech drone. I hope we don't discover that our government gave them the money, technology or worse, that they spied on us and stole the technology and then tried to " develop" their own version of our drone.They have done this many times in the past, and I abhor that practice. I'm a supporter of Israel, but I disagree with some oif their policies and am especially concerned with their influence in the U.S. I don't want any country to have undue influence over U.S policy and I don't want our allies to take advantage of the relationship they have with us.
Ever thought why Jews are so disproportionally represented among Nobel laureates? I mean science, not such inherently subjective things like literature or Piss (spelling intended) prize.
The components of drones are cheap, most can be bought off-the-shelf in the Radio Shack near you or mail-ordered from hobbyist sites. It's inventing the way to put them together that costs, but brains are almost the sole resource that is abundant in Israel.
Spying on USA and the rest of western world ; that where is whatever tec. they have are coming from.
So the parts for a drone the size of a 747 can be brought at you local market. I don't think so. The Small drones that a similar to model aeroplane uses in surveillance yes but not the attack versions.
Good!!!!! Stop terrorizing Mesopotamia, Israel is a terrorist country founded on terrorism on stolen land. Zionists need to go back to Europe they do not belong in Palestine it is not there country!!!!
Moe, Don't start dancing in the streets (like you probably did on 9/11) just yet. A drone that crashes provides as much information as a drone that doesn't. I am sure that the Israelis have learned or will learn a $hitload of stuff from this practice run. When it is time to use it, the Israelis will have it purring. Can you imagine a drone with a wingspan compareable to a 737? Keep your eyes to the sky my friend. BTW, is Moe short for Moehamed?
So Moe, it doesn't matter to you that over 60% of Israelis were born in Israel? How about the fact that people with ancestry in the Middle East and North Africa, people who were forced out of their homes, make up the majority of the Israeli population. Telling Israelis to go back to Europe is the same as telling all Americans, even the blacks, latinos, and asians, to go back to Europe. Not only do you ignore demographics and history, but you sound asinine doing it.
Americans did not created Racist Apartheid state like Israel,American welcomed Jews and people from around the world ,American gives the native autonomy.Americans did not kills olives tree like the Jews doing in occupied Palestine,American did not steal the land and water from Palestinians. In America every ones is a citizen. Israel on the other hand is the only racist entity in the world it is however a lot worst then S. Africa use to be.
Absolute, it doesn't matter if it was your parents or your grandparents or your great-grandparents who moved to the land, if you were born somewhere, you were born there. You can't tell people to go back to Russia or Poland if they've never been there.
Well I'm glad you feel that way.Because by your own logic,the Palestinians born on the land shouldn't have to go anywhere,it is their home.Glad we can agree on that.
Don't ever think that the U.S. military community and the U.S. intelligence community are in the dark about Israeli weapons development. The USA knows that Israel has the need and the committment to develop "next generation" weaponry. The U.S. also knows that what Israel develops, Israel will use, which gives the U.S. access to the best real time data on prototype technology as well as the actual effectiveness of such technology. The U.S. - Israeli partnership has quid pro quo written all over it.
Dishonest,
Israel is a $$$-sucking leech on the A$$ of bankrupt US taxpayers.
This technology has been available off the shelf for many years in the model airplane world. Many years. Good thing little brat kids never connected the dots.
May God bless Israel.
God Damn Zionists!
May GOD always continue to Bless Israel.
God has chosen the Jews to suffer because the Jews killed Jesus.
OK the jews forced some moslums out of their home Million have dried in fighting of Moslums against Moslums.It's time for the arabs to move out of the tribal ira
It is the same old story, Israel brags and publically shows of some military might then gets in their bunker and Uncle Sam takes all the heat for it and the responsibility to protect Israel. When was the last time Israel ever was responsible for their actions that Uncle Sam DID NOT have to intervene and cover up for them . It must be nice to get all those Billions of Dollars and not have to worry about someone like the US to back you up.
Our US tax money paid for that drone, so I can't say "good".
The Israeli's have some good news, and some bad news. The bad news is the largest drone that Israel has crashed. The good news is it fell on the Ayatollah's house ! The Iranians have some good news, and some bad news. The bad news is the Israelis are building more of the giant drones. The good news is the Russian space program is going to be in charge of them !
H U G E. Rubber band must have broke..
Hey Honest J and Anonymous User and Alsophia Theophilos, you're all off base. The U.S does not need Israel Israel needs the U.S! We are the only country on the planet that supports them withhout reservation. We are influenced by their lobbyist to the extent that we are subservient to their needs and desires, even when it puts us in harms way, which is usually the case. Let's be honest, this is not an honest relationship. As for drone technology, it is not an off- the -shelf commodity. If you think that you are either ignorant or have an agenda to minimize the Israeli drone program because it opens the door to many difficult questions. Either way, Israel will continue to do what is in its own interest , withhout regard to what the U.S askes them to do or not to do. As for intelligence matters, Israel only shares what is in their inbterest to share with the U.S. Their sharing is for their own benefit and not for the U.S.'s. The Israeli intellignece aparatus is regarded as one of the most aggressive, penetrating and knowledgable sources in the world. That being the case, they must have known about the impending attacks on 911. Why no warning to the U.S. Instead there are eye witnesses that say Israeli intelligence officers were seen dancing on a roof top when the planes crashed into the towers. Is this trus?? Don't try to sell the idea that Israel is a great friend of this country. They are a self- serving friend, just like many of our allies, except that they are the only ally with influence that determines national policy. That said, I continue to pray for peace and prosperity for the jewish people, Israel and for the world. Israel is suppose to be a shining light fot the world, let's hope they begin to fulfill their biblical obligation as we really need it now.
caroney,
So I'm "off base" by saying this stuff could be bought off the shelf in hobby stores for years? If the Israeli intelligence were dancing it must have been because they helped Bush/Cheney pull off their false flag operation. I feel our biggest enemy is within, has taken root, and is growing. That said, I continue to pray for peace and prosperity for all people and especially that young brat kids don't start zipping radio control model airplanes at yo ass. Peace.
Thanks for the peace message, Its a good start toward world peace. Let's try to get that message to the Israeli elite, as well as the rest of the Middle East nations. The 911 dancing incident was reported and is part of a quasi -documentary on 911. It is perported to be witnessed by a U.S. citizen who was looking out her window at the time of the plane crashings and reported what she saw to the authorities. There was another 911 related incident involving the Mossad. This account involves a van stopped by a New Jersey highway partoll car that found a large quantity of explosives in the van. The van was heading for the George Washington Bridge. When stopped the occupants identified themselves as agents for Israel. When the officer called in the discovery, he was told to mind his own business and release the occupants, or something of that nature. I don't know what happened next as the matter fell into an abyss.I don't know how true or accurate these accounts are, but you can search them out for yourself as they are on the internet.
As for the brats flying radio controlled model planes somewhere they should'nt, ...don't let it concern you. Be concerned about adults that use drones and assinations to acheive their political ends. That will lead to the war no sane person wants. Shalom!
To f.carone - Here is a great link to the 5 dancing Israelis. There is no doubt they were at Liberty Park, NJ, across from the WTCs, filming and celebrating, as the towers fell. They knew beforehand when they would fall, because they set the explosives. Funny how the owner of the company for which they they worked, fled to Israel, the day after the attacks.
Bldg 7 fell to the earth, into it's own footprint in 6.5 seconds, despite never being hit by an airplane. It was more than 100 yards away from the 2 towers that also fell into their own footprint, as in a controlled demolition.
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/fiveisraelis.html
Thanks for the link. I think I saw the video and that's where I got the info I sent to Alsophia. Maybe more people should see the video and judge for themselves what/who may have been behind the 911 tragedy. I don't understand why there is no coverage of the allegations in the video. Has it been discredited or just buried? I hope to hear more on this as I want to know the truth. If any part of this is true, we should immediately inform the Israeli people of what their government did, as I know they would not approve and would most likely seek out the guilty. Then I want to hear from our government on this matter.
These allegations are so serious that we must restrain ourslves from reaching any opinion until we know for certain if they are true or just inflamatory and misleading constructs. Personally, I hope they are not true.
Now more pressure will now be put on U.S. for its military to help Israel talke out Iran's nuclear facilities. I'm tired of these wars. Here's a paraphrased Beatle anit-war song : "All we are saying, is give Ron Paul a chance."
The hell with Israel.They are not Friend to any one they are suckers,like Bat sucking blood out of their host.
Israel does have the "unique capabilities". This crash proved it again, Israel's neighbours can only pray that David is not going decide to strike!
Jewish soldiers of 2012 are a bunch of sissies.
israel, simply the best
AMEN brother!
The best of what? You mean Like the Eryn's the chosen people- CHOSEN for what?
Simply the best at getting "Uncle Sucker" to do as it is told.
What do you mean "the best". The world is very corrupted. Everywhere deceit, violence, dupliciousness and financial debauchery. Do you mean that Israel is the most or least corrupted? Judging from their post- statehood conduct, they certaintly the not the least corrupted. Everyone seems to forget that Israel is a creation out of biblical scripture that captures the hopes and desires for a world that worships God and promotes a love thy neighbor environment. Unfortunately,Israel has failed every test given to it in scriptures. They are constantly at odds with the mission given to them as chosen people. They have not fulfilled their duty as ascribed to them in the scriptures , but they want the benefits promised to them in the scriptures. How do you square this on a religious or secular level? I cannot but believe that there is inherent good in the Jewish people, but somehow they lose their way when money and land are involved. I guess they are just like you and I, people struggling through life in the search for safety and satisfaction. That said, I wish they would stop their land grab and come to terms that allow the Palistiaqn people to have their own country. Thant would be a great start for the chosen light of the world ( Israel) to shine as never before.
Supporting Ron Paul requires some serious thought about his ideas. For those of you who are sheeple, keep voting the Repub/Dem insanity and see if your constitutional rights and liberties improve. Answer: they won't!!
America has one last chance, and it is a very slim one. Americans can elect Ron Paul President, or they can descend into tyranny.
Why is Ron Paul America’s last chance?
Because he is the only candidate who is not owned lock, stock, and barrel by the military-security complex, Wall Street, and the Israel Lobby.
All of the others, including President Obama, are owned by exactly the same interest groups. There are no differences between them. Every candidate except Ron Paul stands for war and a police state, and all have demonstrated their complete and total subservience to Israel. The fact that there is no difference between them is made perfectly clear by the absence of substantive issues in the campaigns of the Republican candidates
What a great ANALysis!
@Dr_Noo, alany...(and not only) America has to be the leader of the world! For the sake of the world and for the sake of America! Strong Israel means more influential USA=good times! stop the nonsense with the election of a president who is going to cut the ties with Israel, however make sure you not put someone in the White House who is gonna act like a drunk bully swinging the baseball bat and threatening the neighbourhood-GWB, you need someone with balls and brains to control them, this is Obama!make sure you not goana screw up and lose him in 2012!
America has one last chance, and it is a very slim one. Americans can elect Ron Paul President, or they can descend into tyranny.
ditto
I am delighted the drone crashed. The only thing better, would have been that the drone crashed into Israel's nuclear weapons site at Dimona, blowing it up to kingdom come.
It is very encouraging that the anti Israel posts are becoming more numerous, as people learn that Israel is a nation of thieves and war mongers, which has cost the US trillions of dollars, the cost of the war in Iraq. Thanks to the Internet, people are beginning to learn about the duplicity of our alleged ally. The ally that has never shed one drop of blood for America, while constantly trying to involve America in more wars for Israel.
Don't worry - Netanyahu is counting on the US to fight the war he wants to start with Iran. Fatah has recognized Israel but Romney says that is not enough they have to recognize it as a Jewish state - despite the fact that 20 percent of Israeli citizens are Palestinians.
And what is a Jew? Does God take the ultra orthodox position (probably). Anyone with a non-Jew in their maternal line (most of the European Jews) is not really Jewish. No atheists (40 percent of the Israelis) are Jewish. Anyone that favors women working, participating in politics, walking on the same side of the street as men, riding in the front of the bus with men, or taking a role in religious ceremonies are not really Jews.
But Romney thinks it is important for Israeli not to be a democratic state but a Jewish state.
From the Israeli on-Line paper Haaretz today:
"
U.S. Jewish democrats on Wednesday praised President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, saying that it was an endorsement of Jewish Values.
In a statement released by the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) in response to Tuesday’s speech, the NJDC said, "We thank President Barack Obama for the clear and positive vision he laid out this evening in his State of the Union address, an address that showcased a ringing endorsement of Jewish values.”
The U.S. government has informed Israel that it will recommend that Congress approve a three-year extension of loan guarantees to Israel, worth $3.8 billion. The announcement came after several months of worry in Israel that the loan guarantees would not be extended, despite Israel's request.
Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Nides and Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Neil Wolin announced the American decision at a meeting with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon on Monday. According to a senior U.S. official, the two emphasized to Ayalon that the recommendation to extend the guarantees through September 2015 would receive wide support from both parties in Congress and would be approved without any problems in the near future.
"The U.S. is a true friend and ally of Israel," Ayalon said. "The partnership between the two countries is a natural one. Extending the loan guarantees strengthens the international position of the Israeli economy and will allow the government to continue to raise funds at lower costs."
A senior Foreign Ministry official in Jerusalem said that Israel's ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren filed the official request for the extension of the loan guarantees with the State Department in September 2011. However, the Israel request was not included in the U.S. budget that was approved at the end of last year.
The deadline for the implementation of the agreement is September 30, 2012. This created serious concern in Israel that the U.S. government was not interested in extending the loan guarantees past that date. The Foreign Ministry also feared that the need for separate legislation on Israel's loan guarantees would be met with technical and political difficulties that would not allow for the passage of the law.
Before the arrival of the two American officials in Israel, the Foreign Ministry prepared for a tough conversation and a crisis. However, the two American officials were surprised and quickly clarified that the U.S. government completely supported the extension of the loan guarantees and planned to recommend the extension to Congress.
The loan guarantees agreement between the U.S. and Israel began in 2003, when Benjamin Netanyahu was Finance Minister. At the time, Israel found itself in an economic recession and U.S. loan guarantees were needed in order to raise funds abroad at low interest rates. The scope of the original agreement was $9 billion and Israel last raised money through it in 2004.
The agreement included a clause that the U.S. would deduct the amount of Israel's expenses and investments in settlements over the Green Line. Today, the balance of loan guarantees Israel can take, before offsets, is $3.8 billion.
According to a senior Foreign Ministry official, since 2005 Israel has raised needed funds in the capital market without using the loan guarantees, but the loan guarantees have importance to global credit agencies, who view the loan guarantees as a "safety net" for the Israeli economy.
America has to sever all ties with this parasite of a nation.
Editorial today in the Israeli paper Haaretz (excerpt)
"
Netanyahu, with Barak's help, has turned the Iranian nuclear threat into an impressive ploy to distract attention from settlement policy and the perpetuation of the occupation. He has taken advantage of President Barack Obama's preoccupation with the U.S. presidential elections and Obama's fear of the Jewish right.
Rival parties on Israel's center and left have adopted a policy of unilateral disengagement from Palestinian issues. Kadima is busy with infighting, the Labor Party prefers to focus on social issues, and Yair Lapid, the new immigrant to the political arena, has decided that peace is for dreamers.
The death certificate of negotiations based on the two-state solution is a badge of shame for Israeli society. It's hard to understand how a society that has so impressively brought social injustice to the top of the agenda has fallen victim to our nationalist-religious leaders' criminal ploy and the irresponsible opposition's helplessness."
Israel will not be satisfied until they drag the US into the war with Iran. Its their ultumate goal.