Elbit Systems is awarded a $72 million contract to supply Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to an international customer.
Elbit Systems today reported the award of a contract valued at $72 million to supply Hermes™ 900 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and training capabilities to an international customer, which as is customary for the Israeli firm, was not yet disclosed. The contract will run for a period of two years.
Under the contract, Elbit Systems will supply Hermes 900 UAS equipped with the SkEye™ Wide Area Persistent Surveillance system, SPECTRO™ XR multi-spectral Electro-Optical payload, Satellite Communication, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) payloads and additional capabilities.
The Hermes 900 UAS has been selected to-date by more than 15 customers attesting to its competitive edge combining technological sophistication, reliability, open architecture and a solid growth path.
See also: Elbit to supply Hermes 900 drones to Royal Thai Navy
Yoram Shmuely, General Manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace,commented: “This contract is another vote of confidence in the Hermes family of UAS. We are witnessing growing demand around the globe for our unmanned solutions that are capable of effective integration with manned forces to address the rapidly evolving threats in all domains of operation.”
Basic characteristics
The Hermes 900 is an unmanned aerial system of the MALE (Medium Altitude and Long Endurance) type, equipped with a variety of high performance sensors, which allow it to detect terrestrial or maritime targets in a wide spectral range.
The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,180 kg, of which 350 kg can be payload, divided between a mission bay with a maximum capacity of 250 kg and several hardpoints on the wings.
With a maximum ceiling of 30,000 feet, the Hermes 900 can generate intelligence beyond visual range, thanks to its satellite data link. And depending on mission load, it can stay airborne for up to 36 hours.
