The remote controlled bulldozer will also have civilian uses, such as firefighting and hazardous materials removal.
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Zoko Enterprises Ltd. (TASE:ZOKO), the importer of the Caterpillar D9 bulldozer, are developing an unmanned military D9 for combat missions. The remote controlled bulldozer will also have civilian uses, such as firefighting and hazardous materials removal and mudslide removal during natural disasters. The development is being carried out at the IAI Ramta Aerostructures and Systems Division in Beersheva in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense R&D.
The IDF Engineering Corps have used the D9 bulldozer for combat missions since the 1948 War of Independence. Since the IDF's intermittent presence in Lebanon, and the appearance of roadside and underbelly bombs, the D9 has been considered a combat vehicle.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on September 17, 2006
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