IAI Heron
| Heron | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | Unmanned aerial vehicle |
| National origin | Israel |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries |
| First flight | 1994 |
| Primary users | Israeli Defence Force Indian Air Force Indian Navy German Air Force Brazilian Federal Police Turkish Air Force |
| Unit cost | $10M[1] |
| Variants | EADS Harfang IAI Eitan |
The IAI Heron (Machatz-1) is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Malat (UAV) division of Israel Aerospace Industries. It is capable of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) operations of up to 52 hours' duration at up to 35,000 feet. It has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight, but the effective operational maximal flight duration is less, due to payload and flight profile. There is a new version, Heron TP, also known as IAI Eitan.
On 11 September 2005, it was announced that the Israel Defense Forces purchased US$50 million worth of Heron systems.[2]
Contents |
Design and development [edit]
Heron navigates using an internal GPS receiver, and either a pre-programmed flight profile (in which case the system is fully autonomous from takeoff to landing), manual override from a ground control station, or a combination of both. It can autonomously return to base and land in case of lost communication with the ground station. The system has fully automatic launch and recovery (ALR) and all-weather capabilities.
Heron can carry an array of sensors, including infra-red and visible-light surveillance, intelligence systems (COMINT and ELINT) and various radar systems, totaling up to 250 kg (550 lb). Heron is also capable of target acquisition and artillery adjustment.
The payload sensors communicate with the ground control station in real-time, using either direct line of sight data link, or via an airborne/satellite relay. Like the navigation system, the payload can also be used in either a fully pre-programmed autonomous mode, or manual real-time remote operation, or a combination of both.
Operational history [edit]
The Heron saw significant use during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza of 2008–2009. During the deployment, each brigade combat team was assigned a UAV squadron for close support. This was the first Israeli operation in which UAVs, helicopters, and fighter jets were allocated to ground forces directly without IAF central command authorizing sorties. Air-support controller teams operated alongside brigade commanders at the front emphasizing the brigade commander's utilization of direct air assets.[3] A high degree of situational awareness was achieved by maintaining at least a dozen UAVs in flight over Gaza at all times. Aerial surveillance was provided by Heron and Hermes 450 UAVs and Apache attack helicopters. Along with coordination between the Air Force and ground troops, Israel ground forces were able to utilize cooperation with the Israel Security Agency by having operatives attached to the forward units. This inter-service coordination allowed for a higher level of tactical awareness and the ability to strike time-critical targets.[4]
Other countries operating the Heron include Singapore, India and Turkey.[5] France operates a derivative of Heron named Eagle or Harfang.[6] In 2008, Canada announced a plan to lease a Heron for use in Afghanistan, starting in 2009.[7] As of mid-2009, Australia is leasing two Herons as part of a multi-million dollar lease to operate the vehicles in Afghanistan.[8] In 2013 the German government decided to buy Herons for its armed forces rather than American Predators as the Heron was more technologically advanced.[9]
Heron variants [edit]
Turkey operates a special modified version of the Heron, which utilizes Turkish designed and manufactured electro-optical sub-systems. For example, the Turkish Herons use the ASELFLIR-300T airborne thermal Imaging and targeting system designed and manufactured by ASELSAN of Turkey. The Turkish Herons have also stronger engines in order to compensate for the added payload created by the new ASELFLIR-300T. This is the same FLIR system what will be used by the TAI/AgustaWestland T-129 attack helicopter[10] and the TAI Anka MALE UAV. IAI staff maintain that the Turkish Heron's "with its enhanced performance, is better than all existing Heron UAVs operating worldwide”.[11] Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) provide maintenance and overhaul services for the Turkish Herons.[12]
Operators [edit]
- Royal Canadian Air Force – Formerly operated 3;[17] ceased operations July 2011
- German Air Force – 3 plus 2 ground stations on an initial one-year lease starting in 2010[19][20]
- Turkish Air Force – 10
Specifications[28] [edit]
Data from {name of first source}
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 on ground
- Length: 8.5 m (27 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 16.60 m (54 ft 5 in)
- Height: ()
- Max. takeoff weight: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 914, 86 kW (115 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 207 km/h (113 knots, 130 mph)
- Range: 350 km (189 nm, 217 mi)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800 ft)
- Rate of climb: 150 m/min (492 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 200 kg/m² (40.9 lb/ft²)
- Endurance: 52 hours[29]
- Payload: 250 kg (550 lb)
See also [edit]
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
References [edit]
- ^ "Border Security: Air Team - Final Report". Isr.umd.edu. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. - Home page". Iai.co.il. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ Opall-Rome, Barbara (2009-03-08). "Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan". DefenceNews. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
- ^ Eshel, David (2009-05-11). "New Tactics Yield Solid Victory in Gaza". Aviation Week. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
- ^ "Heron MALE System". Defense-update.com. 2005-09-21. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Eagle MALE System". Defense-update.com. 2006-09-11. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Canadian military acquiring new helicopters, drones". CBC News. 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Capital Circle". Theaustralian.news.com.au. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ Gold, Moses (April 2013) Germany decides to buy more advanced Israeli drones over U.S. drones YourJewishNerws.com, retrieved 25 April 2013
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "WORLD - 'One project still in progress with Israel'". Hurriyetdailynews.com. 2011-11-04. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "List of ammunition purchased by Azerbaijan made public". News.Az. 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ Curran, Aaron (9 May 2013). "SRG New Home for Heron". Air Force. p. 7. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ Defesanet (August 2009). "Exitosa Demonstração do VANT Heron no Brasil". Retrieved 2009-11-05.
- ^ Meranda, Amnon (November 2009). "Israel to supply Brazil with drones as part of $350M deal". Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ^ COPA Flight 8 (June 2009). "Canadian Forces Briefing on UAVs". Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ Armada del Ecuador – ARMADA PRESENTÓ SU AVIONES NO TRIPULADOS –UAV- (spanish)
- ^ "Rheinmetall Defence and Israel Aerospace Industries to Provide ISR Services for German Armed Forces in Afghanistan". defpro. 2009-10-28. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
- ^ [3][dead link]
- ^ "Defence Industry Daily: Israel sells heron UAVs to India and Australia". Strategypage.com. 2005-11-11. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Indian Navy commissions first UAV squadron". Us.rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Eye in the sky to guard Gujarat coast". The Times Of India. 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. - Home page". Iai.co.il. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "News - Fact Sheet: Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) (02 Mar 11)". MINDEF. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Singapore Inaugurates Heron 1 UAV". Flightglobal.com. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "PARIS AIR SHOW: Heron sees frontline El Salvador anti-drugs fight". Flightglobal.com. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Heron/Shoval/Eitan". Israeli-weapons.com. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "UAVs at the Forefront of Future Warfare". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: IAI Heron |
- IAI Heron Official page
- IAI Heron Update
- MALE UAV Applications
- UAV Sensor applications
- EO Sensors for UAVs
- SAR sensors for UAVs
- Heron UAV News at DefenceTalk
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