Israeli company Elbit eyes converting maritime vessels into drone carriers

Amazing stuff! From aircraft to drone carrier!

"Israeli defense electronics company Elbit Systems Ltd. ... wants to make ships into drone carriers for its Hermes 650 Spark unmanned aerial vehicles.

Elbit Systems reports that it is exploring compact unmanned aircraft launched not from a billion-dollar aircraft carrier but from converted vessels designed to carry persistent intelligence far from shore. The company says that such a vessel would be suitable, "For countries that need to monitor vast maritime spaces without building or acquiring full aircraft carrier capabilities." For such countries Elbit adds, "The question becomes straightforward: how can a naval force extend its reach without turning itself into a superpower navy?"... "

Elbit eyes converting vessels into drone carriers - Globes "The Israeli company proposes to take 9-12 Hermes 650 UAVs, and adapt existing naval platforms to operate them including the deck, control systems and mission management."

Small Deck, Long Reach (original news release) "As maritime arenas become larger, busier, and harder to secure, Elbit Systems is exploring a different kind of long reach: compact unmanned aircraft launched not from a billion-dollar aircraft carrier but from converted vessels designed to carry persistent intelligence far from shore."