The IAI Heron (Machatz-1) is a medium-altitude long-enduranceunmanned 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 10.5 km (35,000 ft). It has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight, but the effective operational maximal flight duration is less, according to payload and flight profile. An advanced version, the Heron TP, is also known as the IAI Eitan.
The Heron navigates using an internal GPS navigation device, 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.
The payload sensors communicate with the ground control station in real time, using either direct line of sightdata 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.
Super Heron
At the February 2014 Singapore Air Show, IAI unveiled the Super Heron refinement of the Heron UAS. The Super Heron has a 200-horsepower diesel engine[2] that increases its rate of climb and performance. Its range is 250 km (160 mi) line-of-sight and 1,000 km (620 mi) by satellite control. Endurance is 45 hours at a maximum altitude of 30,000 ft (9,100 m). Cruising speed is 60 to 80 kn (110 to 150 km/h; 69 to 92 mph) and top speed over 150 kn (280 km/h; 170 mph).[3]
Operational history
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.[4] 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, Israeli 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.[5]
Other countries operating the Heron include Singapore, India and Turkey.[6]France operates a derivative of Heron named Eagle or Harfang.[7] In 2008, Canada announced a plan to lease a Heron for use in Afghanistan, starting in 2009.[8] In mid-2009, Australia leased two Herons as part of a multimillion-dollar lease to operate the vehicles in Afghanistan.[9] In early July 2013, the Heron reached 15,000 flight hours over Afghanistan.[10] Australia concluded its use of the Heron in support of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan on 30 November 2014, after it had accumulated 27,000 flight hours.[11] Royal Australian Air Force retired two Herons in June 2017.[12]
Beginning in 2021, Malta-based Herons have been used by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to monitor migrant activity in the southern Mediterranean Sea. This activity drew controversy when it was announced that the data gathered would be shared with countries including Libya and Tunisia. The concern was that the data could be used to force irregular migrants back to their point of departure, denying them the opportunity to seek asylum in other countries.[13]
Heron variants
Turkey operates a special variant of the Heron, which utilizes Turkish-designed and manufactured electro-optical subsystems. 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 also have stronger engines in order to compensate for the added payload created by the heavier ASELFLIR-300T. This is the same FLIR system currently used in the TAI/AgustaWestland T129 attack helicopter[14] and also the TAI AnkaMALE UAV. IAI staff maintain that the Turkish Heron's "with its enhanced performance, is better than all existing Heron UAVs operating worldwide".[15]Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) provides maintenance and overhaul services for its Herons.[16]
German Air Force – 3, including 2 ground stations on an initial one-year lease starting since 2010, with 2-3 more being planned.[25] Will be replaced by the Eurodrone
^. www.sundayszaman.com. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
^"WORLD – 'One project still in progress with Israel'". Hurriyetdailynews.com. 4 November 2011. from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^"Armed Drones in the Middle East - Israel". Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). 2018. from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
^"List of ammunition purchased by Azerbaijan made public". News.Az. 27 March 2012. from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^ abBarreira, Victor (15 January 2019). "Brazil to resume operations with Heron 1 UAVs". Jane's 360. Rio de Janeiro. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
^Defesanet (August 2009). "Exitosa Demonstração do VANT Heron no Brasil". from the original on 2 November 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
^Meranda, Amnon (November 2009). "Israel to supply Brazil with drones as part of $350M deal". Ynetnews. from the original on 15 November 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
^COPA Flight 8 (June 2009). "Canadian Forces Briefing on UAVs". from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
^Armada del Ecuador – ARMADA PRESENTÓ SU AVIONES NO TRIPULADOS –UAV- 30 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine (Spanish)
^"Le Heron 1 de FRONTEX s'installe à Malte". Air et Cosmos. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
^"Mehr als 100 Milliarden Euro für die Bundeswehr – für unsere Sicherheit". www.bmvg.de/. BmVg. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
^""Έκλεισε" η συμφωνία για δύο ισραηλινά UAV "HERON" - Θα επιχειρούν από την Κρήτη (in Greek)". Pro news. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
^"Στη βάση των UAV Heron στη Σκύρο o Aρχηγός ΓΕΕΘΑ (in Greek)". in.gr. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
^"Έναρξη πτήσεων Μη Επανδρωμένου Αεροσκάφους που διατέθηκε από τον Οργανισμό FRONTEX στο πλαίσιο βελτίωσης των επιχειρησιακών δυνατοτήτων του Λ.Σ. – ΕΛ.ΑΚΤ". www.hcg.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 8 July 2022.
^"India leases four Heron TP MALE UAVs from Israel".
^"Defence Industry Daily: Israel sells heron UAVs to India and Australia". Strategypage.com. 11 November 2005. from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^"Indian Navy commissions first UAV squadron". Us.rediff.com. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^. The Times of India. 18 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
^"Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. – Home page". Iai.co.il. from the original on 24 April 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^Seoul is buying US and Israeli drones 26 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Defense-Update.com, 17 December 2014
^Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost. "Operating From The Shadows: Morocco's UAV Fleet". Oryx Blog. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
^"News – Fact Sheet: Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) (02 Mar 11)". MINDEF. from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^"Singapore Inaugurates Heron 1 UAV". Flightglobal.com. 24 May 2012. from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^"PARIS AIR SHOW: Heron sees frontline El Salvador anti-drugs fight". Flightglobal.com. 15 June 2009. from the original on 25 February 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^. Israeli-weapons.com. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
^Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
^"UAVs at the Forefront of Future Warfare". Airforce Technology. 5 October 2009. from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to IAI Heron.
IAI Heron Official page
Heron UAV News at DefenceTalk
April 28, 2023
heron, machatz, medium, altitude, long, endurance, unmanned, aerial, vehicle, developed, malat, division, israel, aerospace, industries, capable, medium, altitude, long, endurance, male, operations, hours, duration, demonstrated, hours, continuous, flight, eff. 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 10 5 km 35 000 ft It has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight but the effective operational maximal flight duration is less according to payload and flight profile An advanced version the Heron TP is also known as the IAI Eitan HeronIAI Heron 1 UAV in flightRole Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicleNational origin IsraelManufacturer Israel Aerospace IndustriesFirst flight 1994Introduction 2005Status Active in productionPrimary users Israeli Defence ForceIndian Air Force Brazilian Federal Police Turkish Air ForceVariants EADS Harfang IAI Eitan Avionics Services CacadorIAI Heron on display at the Paris Air Show 2009 IAI Super Heron at an Air Show to commemorate 40 years of UAVs in Israel Controlling the UAV for experimental purposes at the Fallon Naval Air Station On 11 September 2005 it was announced that the Israel Defense Forces purchased US 50 million worth of Heron systems 1 Contents 1 Design and development 1 1 Super Heron 2 Operational history 3 Heron variants 4 Operators 4 1 Former operators 5 Specifications 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksDesign and development EditThe Heron navigates using an internal GPS navigation device 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 The Heron can carry an array of sensors including thermographic camera infrared and visible light airborne ground surveillance intelligence systems COMINT and ELINT and various radar systems totaling up to 250 kg 550 lb The 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 Super Heron Edit At the February 2014 Singapore Air Show IAI unveiled the Super Heron refinement of the Heron UAS The Super Heron has a 200 horsepower diesel engine 2 that increases its rate of climb and performance Its range is 250 km 160 mi line of sight and 1 000 km 620 mi by satellite control Endurance is 45 hours at a maximum altitude of 30 000 ft 9 100 m Cruising speed is 60 to 80 kn 110 to 150 km h 69 to 92 mph and top speed over 150 kn 280 km h 170 mph 3 Operational history EditThe 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 4 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 Israeli 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 5 Other countries operating the Heron include Singapore India and Turkey 6 France operates a derivative of Heron named Eagle or Harfang 7 In 2008 Canada announced a plan to lease a Heron for use in Afghanistan starting in 2009 8 In mid 2009 Australia leased two Herons as part of a multimillion dollar lease to operate the vehicles in Afghanistan 9 In early July 2013 the Heron reached 15 000 flight hours over Afghanistan 10 Australia concluded its use of the Heron in support of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan on 30 November 2014 after it had accumulated 27 000 flight hours 11 Royal Australian Air Force retired two Herons in June 2017 12 Beginning in 2021 Malta based Herons have been used by Frontex the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to monitor migrant activity in the southern Mediterranean Sea This activity drew controversy when it was announced that the data gathered would be shared with countries including Libya and Tunisia The concern was that the data could be used to force irregular migrants back to their point of departure denying them the opportunity to seek asylum in other countries 13 Heron variants EditTurkey operates a special variant of the Heron which utilizes Turkish designed and manufactured electro optical subsystems 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 also have stronger engines in order to compensate for the added payload created by the heavier ASELFLIR 300T This is the same FLIR system currently used in the TAI AgustaWestland T129 attack helicopter 14 and also 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 15 Turkish Aerospace Industries TUSAS provides maintenance and overhaul services for its Herons 16 EADS Harfang variant operated by FranceOperators EditAll exports of the IAI Heron are unarmed 17 Map with military IAI Heron UAV operators in blue with former operators in red Royal Australian Air Force Heron RPA Azerbaijan Azerbaijani Air Forces 5 18 Brazil Brazilian Air Force 15 operated jointly with Federal Police 19 Brazilian Federal Police 15 operated jointly with Air Force 19 20 21 Canada Royal Canadian Air Force 2 in service as of 2011 formerly operated 3 22 Ecuador Ecuadorian Navy 2 23 European Union European Border and Coast Guard Agency at least 1 24 Germany German Air Force 3 including 2 ground stations on an initial one year lease starting since 2010 with 2 3 more being planned 25 Will be replaced by the Eurodrone Greece Hellenic Air Force 2 1 on lease starting December 2019 which entered service in June 2021 26 27 Hellenic Coast Guard 28 India Indian Army 4 are on lease for 3 years from 2021 29 Indian Air Force 50 49 on service 1 crashed in 2017 30 31 Indian Navy 16 32 Israel Israeli Defence Force at least 1 33 South Korea Republic of Korea Army 3 on order as of 2014 34 needs update Malta Maltese Air Force at least 1 Morocco Royal Moroccan Air Force three bought in 2014 35 Singapore 36 37 Republic of Singapore Air Force 2 Turkey Turkish Air Force 10 United States United States Navy 2 38 Vietnam Vietnam People s Navy 3 on order as of 2018Former operators Edit Australia Royal Australian Air Force 2 retired in 2017 12 Specifications EditData from Heron Shoval Eitan 39 General characteristicsCapacity 250 kg 551 lb Length 8 5 m 27 ft 11 in Wingspan 16 6 m 54 ft 6 in Airfoil IAI SA 21 40 Max takeoff weight 1 150 kg 2 535 lb Powerplant 1 Rotax 914 4 cylinder air and water cooled horizontally opposed piston engine 86 kW 115 hp Propellers 3 bladed pusher propellerPerformance Maximum speed 207 km h 129 mph 112 kn Endurance 52 hours 41 Service ceiling 10 000 m 33 000 ft Rate of climb 2 5 m s 490 ft min Wing loading 89 kg m2 18 lb sq ft See also Edit Aviation portalRelated development IAI Eitan EADS Harfang Avionics Services CacadorAircraft of comparable role configuration and era General Atomics MQ 1 Predator DRDO Rustom IAIO Fotros TAI AnkaReferences Edit Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd Home page Iai co il Archived from the original on 16 December 2005 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Israeli company unveils new Super Heron drone The Times of Israel Archived from the original on 7 December 2017 Retrieved 7 December 2017 IAI Unveils Super Heron Heavy Fuel Unmanned Aerial System Archived 22 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Deagel com 11 February 2014 Opall Rome Barbara 8 March 2009 Maj Gen Ido Nehushtan DefenceNews Retrieved 4 August 2009 dead link Eshel David 11 May 2009 New Tactics Yield Solid Victory in Gaza Aviation Week Archived from the original on 14 June 2011 Retrieved 3 July 2009 Heron MALE System Defense update com 21 September 2005 Archived from the original on 7 February 2009 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Eagle MALE System Defense update com 11 September 2006 Archived from the original on 28 September 2012 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Canadian military acquiring new helicopters drones CBC News 7 August 2008 Archived from the original on 19 December 2008 Retrieved 8 August 2008 Capital Circle Theaustralian news com au Archived from the original on 3 October 2009 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Heron Logs 15 000 Flight Hours In Afghanistan Archived 11 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine sUASNews com 22 July 2013 PICTURES RAAF Heron flies at Amberley alongside manned aircraft Archived 26 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 13 April 2016 a b End of an era as our Heron departs Press release Royal Australian Air Force 8 August 2017 Archived from the original on 9 August 2017 Retrieved 8 August 2017 Migrant drone surveillance from Malta MEP questions information sharing with pull back countries 1 Archived 20 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine Turkey stymied by problems with Israeli Heron UAVs www sundayszaman com Archived from the original on 22 May 2009 Retrieved 17 January 2022 WORLD One project still in progress with Israel Hurriyetdailynews com 4 November 2011 Archived from the original on 7 November 2011 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Armed Drones in the Middle East Israel Royal United Services Institute RUSI 2018 Archived from the original on 13 February 2019 Retrieved 21 December 2018 List of ammunition purchased by Azerbaijan made public News Az 27 March 2012 Archived from the original on 30 March 2012 Retrieved 18 November 2012 a b Barreira Victor 15 January 2019 Brazil to resume operations with Heron 1 UAVs Jane s 360 Rio de Janeiro Archived from the original on 15 January 2019 Retrieved 15 January 2019 Defesanet August 2009 Exitosa Demonstracao do VANT Heron no Brasil Archived from the original on 2 November 2009 Retrieved 5 November 2009 Meranda Amnon November 2009 Israel to supply Brazil with drones as part of 350M deal Ynetnews Archived from the original on 15 November 2009 Retrieved 12 November 2009 COPA Flight 8 June 2009 Canadian Forces Briefing on UAVs Archived from the original on 11 July 2012 Retrieved 30 June 2009 Armada del Ecuador ARMADA PRESENTo SU AVIONES NO TRIPULADOS UAV Archived 30 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine Spanish Le Heron 1 de FRONTEX s installe a Malte Air et Cosmos Retrieved 20 June 2021 Mehr als 100 Milliarden Euro fur die Bundeswehr fur unsere Sicherheit www bmvg de BmVg Retrieved 27 February 2022 Ekleise h symfwnia gia dyo israhlina UAV HERON 8a epixeiroyn apo thn Krhth in Greek Pro news 23 December 2019 Retrieved 25 December 2019 Sth bash twn UAV Heron sth Skyro o Arxhgos GEE8A in Greek in gr 20 June 2021 Retrieved 23 June 2021 Enar3h pthsewn Mh Epandrwmenoy Aeroskafoys poy diate8hke apo ton Organismo FRONTEX sto plaisio beltiwshs twn epixeirhsiakwn dynatothtwn toy L S EL AKT www hcg gr in Greek Retrieved 8 July 2022 India leases four Heron TP MALE UAVs from Israel Defence Industry Daily Israel sells heron UAVs to India and Australia Strategypage com 11 November 2005 Archived from the original on 29 September 2013 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Indian Navy commissions first UAV squadron Us rediff com Retrieved 18 November 2012 Eye in the sky to guard Gujarat coast The Times of India 18 January 2011 Archived from the original on 4 November 2012 Retrieved 3 July 2013 Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd Home page Iai co il Archived from the original on 24 April 2011 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Seoul is buying US and Israeli drones Archived 26 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Defense Update com 17 December 2014 Mitzer Stijn Oliemans Joost Operating From The Shadows Morocco s UAV Fleet Oryx Blog Retrieved 27 June 2022 News Fact Sheet Heron 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV 02 Mar 11 MINDEF Archived from the original on 7 November 2017 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Singapore Inaugurates Heron 1 UAV Flightglobal com 24 May 2012 Archived from the original on 27 May 2012 Retrieved 18 November 2012 PARIS AIR SHOW Heron sees frontline El Salvador anti drugs fight Flightglobal com 15 June 2009 Archived from the original on 25 February 2010 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Heron Shoval Eitan Israeli weapons com Archived from the original on 14 November 2012 Retrieved 18 November 2012 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 UAVs at the Forefront of Future Warfare Airforce Technology 5 October 2009 Archived from the original on 30 August 2011 Retrieved 18 November 2012 External links Edit 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title IAI Heron amp oldid 1146168521, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
