Group : mini-UAVs
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Electric Tethered Observation Platform
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI)
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2011
Total Production : ?

The Electric Tethered Observation Platform (ETOP) is a purely-electric powered unmanned hovering air vehicle (HAV) suitable for both civil and military applications. It has been designed for observation and other applications, which can be deployed from a static or moving ground vehicle or station. The IAI ETOP is lightweight because its innovative approach consists in leaving its energy source on the ground. As of June 2010, the first prototype had concluded 10 successful flight tests with a second prototype entering flight tests. The ETOP system is expected to be operational by 2011.

The ETOP's hovering effect is generated by four electric-powered propellers, which can hover at a predetermined altitude above ground for long periods of time. Hovering time is limited only by the ground platform's energy storage capability. The ETOP can carry a payload of up to 20 kg at a maximum altitude of 100 meters and is operated with a simple click, thus eliminating the need for an operator.