SKYLARK

IDF tactical intelligence unit's new commander breaks glass ceiling on the frontlines

While traditional aerial units provide surveillance and reconnaissance, the Sky Riders’ focus is on the immediate areas surrounding ground troops to which they are assigned, using low-flying drones.

|ByERIC NARROW
SKYLARK MINI UAVs can be easily deployed by hand in the field.
A SKYLARK drone is thrown by an IDF soldier during a military exercise in southern Israel in 2013

IDF drone falls in West Bank during clashes

Palestinian reports claimed that the drone was shot down.

|ByTZVI JOFFRE
An Israeli soldier launches a Skylark unmanned aerial vehicle near the border with Gaza Strip

Female officer takes command of IDF Artillery Corps' drone unit

Lt.Col. Reut Retig Weiss becomes second woman to ever be appointed commander of a combat unit

|ByANNA AHRONHEIM