General Information
SpyLite is a multiconfiguration tactical mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) produced by BlueBird Aero Systems. SpyLite is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The UAV is fully automatic, from the time of catapult launch to its recovery.
The Ethiopian Army placed an order with BlueBird Aero Systems for an unspecified number of SpyLite mini UAV systems in 2011. BlueBird received a contract from an undisclosed African country for SpyLite UAVs in 2013 and the Chilean Army placed an order for six SpyLite UAVs in 2013. [1]Drone Center, Bard, Drone Database. Also the Greek Police used Spylite reportedly.[2]Zougla : Greece Police uses Spylite
In 2018 the Indian army selected the Spylite for high-altitude aerial surveillance. The mini-UAV is built by Cyient Solutions & Systems (CSS), a joint venture between Cyient Ltd of India and BlueBird Aero Systems.[3]Time of India : CSS and Bluebird Sysems JV
Spylite was also acquired by the Colombian Police for operations in rural areas, ISR missions and operations directed against targets of high strategic value. In 2020 the Colombian Police presented the SpyLite on the Aeronautical International Fair in Rionegro, Colombia.[4]BlueBird Official Website : Colombian Police
Use by Israeli forces
It has been operational with the Israeli Military since 2006 and was selected by the Israeli Air Force as well. According to the company’s website, during the summer of 2014, its SpyLite UAVs “operated around the clock”, and “logged over 700 operational sorties of over 3 hours each” in Israeli military attacks in the West Bank and Gaza. The SpyLite is marketed as ‘combat proven.’[5]Blue Bird Official Website – SpyLite Israel confirmed the use of Spylite UAVs during its “Brother’s Keeper” and “Protective Edge” operations in 2014. The accumulated experience gained during the two operations has taken the SpyLite’s total use to over 10,000 flight hours, according to its manufacturer.[6]FlightGlobal : Israel reveals Spylite Use over Gaza