Israel unveils new surveillance drone

Resembling a huge bird with fixed wings and a mushroom sticking out of its head, Israel's largest unmanned surveillance aircraft flew over a seaside air force base, its promoters claiming it can fly higher, faster and farther than any other drone.

With its 16.6m wingspan and ability to fly for as long as 30 hours at a time, at a speed of 225kph and a height of 9,000m, the Heron is Israel's latest and most advanced weapon in the booming field of drone technology, air force officers said.