
A new image coming from Gaza shows an Israeli Hermes UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) carrying two (still unknown) pods and dorsal antenna.
Taken over Gaza City on Aug. 3 by AP’s Dusan Vranic, the photo is not only extremely beautiful because of large moon (magnified by the zoom lens) in the background: it is the first to date showing a modified Israeli Hermes 450 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) carrying the two “new” underwing pods (possibly containing SIGINT sensors or guns) with a dorsal satellite antenna.
The Israeli source who pointed us to the image said the dorsal antenna is retractable, but we are not sure it can be extended; it could be a fixed satellite antenna used for ISTAR, SIGINT, communications relay.
Image credit: AP/Dusan Vranic
One could infer that Israel launched the Ofek 10 satellite into orbit at a fortuitous time, April 2014. Israel apparently has a proficient satellite building and launching apparatus in place.
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Israel-launches-Ofek-10-radar-based-spy-satellite-348083