Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd
IAI Scout
The IAI Scout is a light‑weight, single‑engine, high‑wing monoplane developed by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI) in the late 1970s to meet the Israeli Air Force’s need for a rugged, short‑takeoff‑and‑landing (STOL) utility aircraft. First flew in 1978 and entered service in 1980, the Scout was built primarily of composite materials and featured a fixed tricycle landing gear, a spacious cabin, and a powerful turboprop engine delivering around 300 kW. Its design emphasized ease of maintenance, low operating costs, and the ability to operate from austere airstrips, making it suited for liaison, reconnaissance, cargo transport, and medevac missions. The Scout’s avionics suite includes a simple glass cockpit, GPS navigation, and optional surveillance pods, allowing it to perform intelligence‑gathering roles. Over 150 units were produced, serving not only Israel but also several foreign operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Although newer platforms have begun to replace it, the IAI Scout remains a notable example of Israel’s capability to design versatile, cost‑effective aircraft, illustrating the country’s broader contribution to modern utility aviation. Its robust airframe also allowed adaptation for agricultural spraying and pilot training, further extending its operational versatility.
Classification
Dimensions
- Length
- 3.68 metre
- Height
- 0.94 metre
Performance
- Service Ceiling
- 15000 foot
Production & History
- Service Entry
- 1979