debkafile: A tiny Israel-made pilotless plane carried by an individual soldier is gathering intelligence for US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan

The defense electronics firm Elbit Systems says the little Skylark drone, which has a 50 km range and is operated by a crew of two, is operational and deployed in the global war on terror in Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan. It is described as suited for “close range, beyond the next hill, counter-terror missions.” Lt. Col. Matthew McLaughlin of US CENTCOM did not confirm his command was using the drone but said “it is always looking for aircraft with such capabilities.”
Skylark is one of several items of Israeli defense hardware deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan about to be unveiled at the Australian International Airshow March 20-25.