Hermes 450 Has Accumulated Over 65,000 Flight Hours

Aero-News learned this week Elbit Systems' Hermes 450 is the first UAV in Israel to receive a certification by civil aviation authorities.

Representatives with Elbit tell ANN the lack of civil standardization for UAVs created a need to develop applicable legislation in Israel. A special committee was established in order to test the UAV, its mode of operation and the UAV's producer. Elbit Systems is the first company to complete all the required procedures, and receive all applicable civil aviation certification approvals.

The Hermes 450 is a major player in Israel's ongoing security activities and the IDF's primary UAV system. The long-endurance UAV, equipped with Elbit Systems' CoMPASS EO/IR/LD gimbaled electro-optical payload, can adapt to a wide range of payloads, including SAR/GMTI radar and dual payload configurations.

Elbit further states the Hermes 450 is highly autonomous, controlled by the Hermes Universal Ground Control System (UGCS) that facilitates highly automated mission operation and control of the air vehicle and EO/IR/Laser payload. The UAV is equipped with sophisticated communication systems transmitting imagery in real time to ground stations.

Selected for the UK Watchkeeper program, the Hermes 450 has flown in US operations and history-making flights in UK civil airspace. To date, the Hermes 450 has accumulated over 65,000 flight hours.

FMI: www.elbitsystems.com/