Hermes 900

[Ayoshi]

From: israeli-weapons.com

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.

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[Ayoshi]

Israel to acquire more Hermes 900 UAVs | IHS Jane's 360 - 21 December 2016

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is to acquire additional Elbit Systems Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as it looks to expand its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

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Known as Kochav (Star) in national service, the Hermes 900 made its operational debut for the IAF during Operation 'Protective Edge' over the Gaza strip in July 2014. It was tasked with gathering ISR data that was used for subsequent air strikes, and flew more than 100 times during this particular mission.

The Israeli Air Force is to 'multiply by six' the number of Hermes 900 UAVs that it fields. Source: Armasuisse

[Ayoshi]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/israel-is-hermes-900-uav-launch-customer-as-iaf-expands-its-fleets-06363/

July 26/17: Elbit Systems announced that it has flown a number of demonstration flights of its Hermes 900 UAV for an interested Philippine Air Force (PAF). Manila is in the market for new intelligence reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities for both patrolling its territorial waters and tackling an insurgency on the archipelago by jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State.

[Ayoshi]

DSEI 2017: Elbit outlines Hermes 900 plan | IHS Jane's 360 - 15 September 2017

Elbit Systems will take a twin-track approach to the development of its Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

Speaking to Jane’s at DSEI 2017 in London, Elbit Systems’ vice-president of UAS for its Europe, Americas, and Africa business unit, Amir Bettesh, said that two versions of its medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Hermes 900 will be offered – the standard platform and a heavy-fuel engine (HFE) UAS akin to that under development for Switzerland. The standard aircraft is powered by a Rotax 914 F developing 78.3 kW (105 hp).

The HFE variant is geared at integration in civil airspace, Bettesh said, and accordingly is equipped with a wider range of sub-systems that support this operation; it is also a heavier platform.

The SkEye wide-area persistent surveillance payload (centre) on a Hermes 900. Source: Elbit Systems

[Ayoshi]

Chilean Hermes 900 breaks cover during firefighting operations | Janes - 07 January 2019

A single Hermes 900 MALE UAV was shown on static display at Quintero Air Base in the Valparaíso region of the South American country in early January, as the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile: FACh) highlighted the roles of several of its aircraft in fighting recent wildfires.

In May 2011 Chile became the first export customer for the Hermes 900 when it ordered three on an unknown delivery timetable. These were confirmed operational during 2014 by the FACh in reconnaissance and surveillance support roles over land and coastal areas.

A Hermes 900 MALE UAV of the Chilean Air Force is seen for the first time during an event to promote the service&#8217;s firefighting activities in the Valpara&#237;so region of the South American country. (FACh)

[Ayoshi]

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/elbit-systems-upgrade-latin-american-hermes-900-ua/

Elbit Systems to upgrade Latin American Hermes 900 UAS
15th April 2020 - 08:30 GMT

Israel-based Elbit Systems has, on 12 April, confirmed that it secured a $20 million contract from two Latin American customers to upgrade their Hermes 900 UAS.

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Elbit will integrate SATCOM and automatic take-off and landing systems into the Hermes 900 which will enhance the MALE UAS to the newest configuration. As a result of the upgrade, the UAS will have an extended maximum range to more than 1000km whilst being capable of performing automatic take-off and landing independent of GPS reception.

[girder]

Elbit Systems Introduces a UAS-Based Long-Range Maritime Rescue Capability

Haifa, Israel, 07 May, 2020 – Elbit Systems introduces a unique life saving capability to its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Integrating detection and identification capabilities, onboard inflated life-rafts, and precision dispatch capability, enables the UAS to perform long-range maritime Search and Rescue (SaR) missions. Such a configured Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol UAS was recently delivered to an undisclosed customer in South-East Asia.

Adverse weather conditions and short endurance significantly degrade the SaR capabilities of manned aircraft, often preventing them from executing their missions. Capable of more than 24 hours of continuous flight, the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol can operate in adverse weather conditions in both day and night. Equipped with the new SaR capability the UAS can increase the number of SaR missions that can be safely executed and improve the safety and effectiveness of maritime SaR response.

The Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol can carry up to four, six-person life-rafts that are integrated on its wings. Using an onboard maritime radar the UAS detects survivor situations. Upon detection the UAS’ Electro-Optic/Infra-Red (EO/IR) payload is deployed to provide visual identification, and a rapid calculation of the drop-point is performed, enabling the UAS to dispatch life rafts from a low-altitude of 600ft to a pin-pointed location at a safe distance from the survivors. A gradual inflation process of the life-rafts is initiated after dispatch and is completed upon landing.

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