Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
IAI Bird-Eye
Country
Prime contractor
Production
2003–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
39
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- UAV Classmini-UAV
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight2003
- Primary Roleintelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe4MOD.4
- Length0.8 m
- Wingspan2.2 m
- Max Takeoff Weight4.1 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant3MOD.3
- Engine Typeelectric
- Electric PropulsionYes
- Propeller / Configurationfixed-pitch
◇Performance3MOD.3
- Range15 km
- Endurance1.33
- Maximum Payload1.2 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadNo
- Laser DesignatorNo
- Sensor Payload Weight1.2 kg
- Comms RelayNo
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeremote control
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableYes
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production1MOD.1
- Variants6
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start2003
- Operational Statusin service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2000First deployment: Second Intifada
- 2003Production started
- 2009Sale: Russia · $50 M
- 2010Sale: Russia · $400 M
- 2015Sale: India
- 2019Last sale: Brazil
23
years in service
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries5country
IAI Bird-EyeSALES4records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |  Brazil | — | — | — |
| 2015 |  India | — | — | — |
| 2010 |  Russia | — | $400.0 M | $590.6 M |
| 2009 | Russia | — | $50.0 M | $75.0 M |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
152RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES39POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES128ISRAEL · ALL WEAPONS31PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
Electric Propulsion: A propulsion system using electric motors powered by batteries or other electrical energy sources to generate thrust.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources