The IAI Green Dragon is a small, expendable loitering munition developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to provide tactical-level precision fire and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to special operations forces and small land units. Publicly unveiled at the Singapore Airshow in February 2016, the system represents a shift toward organic, low-cost precision weapons that can be operated directly by infantry rather than higher-echelon artillery or air assets.
Designed as a "hunter-killer" UAS, the Green Dragon is launched from a sealed 1.7-meter canister. For operational deployment, small vehicles can carry between 12 and 16 of these canisters. The aircraft is relatively lightweight, with sources citing a mass of either 15 kg or 16 kg. It is powered by a pusher-propeller powerplant, though the specific engine model and whether it is a piston or electric motor are not publicly disclosed. The munition is equipped with a 3 kg high-explosive warhead and is designed for high precision, with marketing claims stating a circular error probable (CEP) of less than one meter.
Operationally, the Green Dragon is controlled by a single soldier using a tablet or control unit, which provides real-time video feeds for target acquisition and battle damage assessment. It is capable of loitering over a target area for up to 90 minutes, with some estimates placing the endurance at 75 minutes. Its operational range is generally cited between 40 and 50 km, and one technical database lists a maximum speed of approximately 110 knots.
While IAI has announced a naval application for the Green Dragon to allow launch from maritime platforms, specific military operators and documented combat deployments remain unconfirmed in open sources. Production began around 2016, and while one secondary source estimates a total production of 20 units, this figure is uncorroborated by the manufacturer. The system has been showcased at various international defense exhibitions, including ADAS 2018 in Manila, highlighting its role in the global proliferation of tactical loitering munitions.