The IDF Wants More Hermes 900 Drones

Elbit Systems Closes 2013 with a domestic $315 million order for Avionics, Drones, Electronic Warfare, Electro-Optic Systems, Avionics and Land Systems

The Israel Ministry of Defense has placed a second order for a number Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The announcement by Elbit Systems did not specify the quantity of UAVs to be delivered under this contract but said the drones will be delivered over a period of three years. This order follows a first order for these drones, part of procurement order a $50 million, announced in May 2010. That order, placed six months after the aircraft’s maiden flight included the delivery of Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 over a period of three years. The current order is worth $90 million, and includes only Hermes 900 drones, and support systems and services, to be delivered over a period of eight years.

The Hermes-900 is positioned between a tactical and strategic UAV, as it extends the performance of the Hermes 450 tactical UAS in almost every aspect – including operating ceiling, mission endurance, payload carrying capacity rand range.

Like its predecessors, it has a universal command & control ground station (UGCS), which enables advanced mission management, automatic taxiing, autonomous flight and automatic takeoff and landing systems common to all the UAVs in the Hermes family. The new system also uses a built-in satellite communication channel for missions beyond line of sight.

New Orders Worth $315 Million for Israel’s Army, Air Force

he Israel Ministry of Defense has recently awarded Elbit Systems several contracts for the delivery and support of various systems totaling about US$315 million. Among these contracts are the delivery of battle management system (BMS) and avionics for helicopters, and virtual training systems for fighter aircraft. The company continues to support aircraft operations at the IAF Flight Academy. The total value of these programs is approximately $75 million, covering deliveries over a six-year period. Two weeks ago the company was also awarded an avionic upgrading program for the IAF C-130 fleet. The Israel Air Force F-16 and F-15s and the Navy’s combat surface vessels will also receive Electronic Warfare (EW) systems upgrades worth $90 million, as part of a comprehensive modernization plan spanning over four years.

The land forces will also receive new systems, including long-range target acquisition systems and high precision mobile mortar systems. That target acquisition systems have recently being fielded by the Ground Forces Command and these additional systems being ordered will be delivered over a period of three years. Additional Cardom 120mm self-propelled mortar systems will be delivered over a period of six years, equip additional mortar companies being fielded under the IDF infantry and mechanized battalion modernization plan, The new mortar is integrated into ‘Keshet’ Self Propelled mortar system based on an enhanced configuration of the standard M-106. The fielding of Keshet SP mortars is implemented under a comprehensive modernization of the combat and support elements of the IDF brigades and battalions, enabling self-reliance of the tactical echelon, enabling tactical units to be self supported in combat.


Source: By Tamir Eshel, Defense Update News - 31 December 2012

Photo: IDF Hermes 900 Medium-Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System. The first Hermes-900 is currently undergoing final evaluation prior to official induction with the IDF Hermes unit. (Photo by Elbit Systems)


(31.12.2012)