BlueBird SpyLite
Portable long-range electric mini-UAV for silent tactical reconnaissance: 4 h endurance, catapult launch, parachute recovery, in service in more than 20 countries.
BlueBird SpyLite
Portable long-range electric mini-UAV for silent tactical reconnaissance: 4 h endurance, catapult launch, parachute recovery, in service in more than 20 countries.
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- BlueBird SpyLite
- Alias
- SpyLite Mini-UAS
- Manufacturer
- BlueBird Aero Systems
- Country
- Israel
- Year
- 2007
- Category
- ISR (Reconnaissance)
- Class
- Mini (< 2 kg)
- Status
- In service
Performance
- Range
- 80 km
- Endurance
- 4 h
- Top speed
- 120 km/h
- Service ceiling
- 4,500 m
- Propulsion
- Elettrica brushless, elica spintore
Physical characteristics
- MTOW
- 9 kg
- Payload
- 1.3 kg
Onboard systems
- Sensors
- EO/IR gimbal D-STAMP, opzionale LRF
- Datalink / control
- Datalink digitale criptato LOS 80 km
- Launch
- Catapulta a elastico o bungee
- Recovery
- Paracadute + airbag
Tags
Main operators
History
Launched by BlueBird Aero Systems in 2007, SpyLite is one of the most widely exported Israeli mini-UAS thanks to its cost/performance ratio and low acoustic signature.
Selected by the Polish Army in 2009 as standard mini-UAS, it has been deployed in Afghanistan operations.
BlueBird Aero Systems' SpyLite has been one of the most widely exported electric mini-UAVs in the world: fielded in over 20 countries for tactical surveillance, anti-poaching missions in Africa and critical-infrastructure security.
The drone stands out for its bungee launch system — no need for a rocket catapult — and for parachute-assisted recovery, making it usable by minimal crews even in mountainous or desert environments.
BlueBird was acquired by IAI in 2023, consolidating Israel's mini-UAV portfolio and completing the group's offering in the low-cost tactical segment.