Heron

Origine : Israel
The Heron UAV System is an operational fourth generation long-endurance medium-altitude system based on leading-edge technology with new fully automatic take-off and landing features. It provides deep-penetration, wide-area, real-time intelligence to national agencies, theater commanders and lower echelons.
The Heron provides ample modular space up to 250 kg for customer furnished equipment, is interoperable with other MALAT UAV systems and has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight.
Although Hermes 450 has a 20-hour endurance and a ceiling of 18,000 ft, there is, according to Israeli Defence Force sources, still a necessity in future operations for UAVs which surpass both these specifications. Baring this in mind, both companies are also continuing to development medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAVs. In an attempt to meet this future requirement, Elbit/Silver Arrow is working on its twin-engined Hermes 1500 and IAI/MALAT, the Heron 1.

Missions
Medium Altitude and Long Endurance (MALE) Strategic UAV System for surveillance, reconnaissance, target-acquisition & artillery adjustment and/or CFE based missions.
Characteristics
Operational Modes
Real-time payload and UAV control
GPS based interuptable airborne mission controllert
Full autonomous flight
Autonomous return on datalink loss

Datalinks
Direct line-of-sight datalink
UAV aitborne data relay for beyond-line-of-sight datalink
Dual real-time command uplink
Single real-time data and video downlink
Satellite Datalink Integration capability

Payloads
Standard MOSP (TV & IR Combi)
SAR EL/M 2055
Maritime Patrol Radar
Customer furnished payloads

Performance
Endurance: 40 Hr
Range: 200*km (105* nm), 350**km (185**nm), 1,000***km(530***nm)
Altitude: 30,000 ft
* Direct line-of-sight datalink
** Beyond-line-of-sight datalink using UAV airborne data relay
*** Autonomous flight

Launch & Recovery
Automatic Take-off and landing.

Technical Data
Weights: Max Take-off Weight 1,100 kg (2,430 lb) Max Payload Weight 250 kg (550 lb)
Dimensions: Overall Length 8.50 m (27.90 ft) Wingspan 16.60 m (54.50 ft)
Powerplant: Dual engines, 4 cycle, 4 cylinder with turbo charge 100 hp