DTN News: New Elbit Hermes UAS selected By Israel

DTN News: New Elbit Hermes UAS selected By Israel Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) HAIFA, Israel,- May 6, 2010: The Israeli Defense Ministry selected Elbit Systems to deliver its unmanned aircraft system variants to strengthen the Israeli military's UAS fleet. Elbit Systems has recently added the Hermes 900 to its growing UAV family. With its 15 m wingspan and 970 kg max takeoff weight, the Hermes 900 is a natural extension of the Hermes 450 tactical UAV systems with full compatibility in missions and support infrastructure. While offering all Hermes UAV family capabilities (Hermes 180, Hermes 450 and Hermes 1500), it features larger multi-payload configurations, higher flight altitude and extended flight time. The Hermes 900 is an all weather UAV system. Its IATOL (Internal Auto Takeoff and Landing) system enables auto-landing even in alternate non-instrumented runways. Like the Hermes 450, internationally renowned for its unmatched safety record and reliability, the Hermes 900 features full redundancy and fault tolerant avionics and electronics architecture. Its fully-certified Rotax engine is safe and quiet. The new UAV is well-equipped with advanced features including built-in autonomous emergency procedures, ATC Air Traffic Control radio, Radio relay, and IFF transponder. With larger payload capacity (300Kg) and longer endurance ,the Hermes 900 is controlled by Elbit Systems UGCS Universal Ground Control Station which can control two UAVs at any given time from a single station while a single operator operates the AV Air Vehicle and payloads for each UAV. The new Hermes delivers the highest quality of performance for the lowest life cycle cost; a distinction based predominantly on its lowest number of operators and maintenance crew requirements. The Hermes 900 system supports numerous missions and specialized applications such as Electro-optics, IR Imaging Laser range finder and Laser designation as well as SAR/GMTI, COMINT DF , ELINT an Electronic Warfare. The system maintains secured redundant Line Of Sight (LOS) Data link as well as Redundant Satellite communication (BLOS) Beyond Line of Sight. Israeli defense company Elbit announced it will provide its Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 UAS variants for deployment by the Israeli military in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations supporting counter-terrorism programs. The $50 million contract expands the fleet of Hermes 450 with the Israeli military and introduces Elbit's new Hermes 900 UAS, which is based on the company's universal command-and-control ground station. "By introducing the Hermes 900 into our growing UAS portfolio, we continue to provide the Israeli military with effective solutions for its varying operational needs," Joseph Ackerman, Elbit Systems president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. In addition to the Hermes family of UAS technologies the Israeli military also operates Elbit's Skylark I-LE, a miniature UAS.