http://www.defense-aerospace.com/ar...-heron-uav.html
srael Aerospace Industries (IAI) will supply its Heron Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), who have been awarded a contract by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) for an unmanned aerial surveillance solution.

The Heron, which will support Australian deployed forces in Afghanistan under Project NANKEEN, will be operated by the Australian Royal Air Force and will provide a significant boost to the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) operational intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability in Afghanistan.

The Heron UAS will be the ADF's first MALE platform in Afghanistan. The Heron was selected after a comprehensive examination of available ISR systems. The Heron will be operational in early 2010 for a period of one year, with options for an additional two years.

Itzhak Nissan, President and CEO of IAI said: "IAI and MDA both contributed to supply the high quality UAS efficiently and to the customer's complete satisfaction. IAI regards the ADF to be an important and esteemed user. We are proud that the ADF has selected the Heron as its 'eyes in the skies' in Afghanistan".

Building on the previously announced successful Noctua Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) service for the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, IAI and MDA will provide a similar complete turnkey operational UAV service under this new contract. The service will include complete operations, maintenance and logistical support to provide real-time, multi-sensor intelligence information directly to the theatre of operation.

The Canadian and French Air Forces have begun using the IAI Heron UAS in service of the fighting forces stationed in Afghanistan. The Canadian Air Force is deploying flight operations from Kandahar Airfield for the Canadian Department of National Defense (DND). The Spanish Air Force is operating the Searcher UAS in Afghanistan.

The UASs support the troops by providing crucial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information in real time to commanders and directly to front line soldiers.

IAI's MALAT Division spearheads the design and manufacture of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). MALAT offers a family of systems that vary in size, endurance, mission profile and on-board sensors, covering the full spectrum of operational requirements by providing micro and mini systems as well as tactical close and short range, and Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) systems. MALAT systems are in operational service with over 40 customers that are deployed on four continents and have accumulated over 500,000 flight hours.

IAI’s vast operational expertise is incorporated in the continuously modified, upgraded and enhanced systems offered to its customers worldwide.


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Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner today announced that the Royal Australian Air Force has acquired Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in close collaboration with Canadian Defence forces.

“This high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability will enhance the capability of Australian forces in Afghanistan,” Senator Faulkner said.

The Heron UAV is a one-tonne aircraft capable of medium altitude, long endurance flights.

Under Project NANKEEN, the Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a contract with Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) to lease Heron UAV services which will provide high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. (Click here for relevant statement by MDA)

The Australian Defence Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Forces which already operates Heron UAVs in Afghanistan.

In July 2009 Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel undertook Heron training in Canada. These personnel have now been absorbed within the Canadian Heron UAV Detachment at Kandahar airfield conducting combat operations in support of ISAF.

This has meant the ADF has rapidly established its Heron capability by drawing on the Canadians’ operational knowledge, experience and facilities.

“The Australian Government greatly appreciates the assistance of the Canadian Defence Force in this project,” Senator Faulkner said.

When the systems acquired through the NANKEEN contract are delivered to Kandahar, Australia will establish its full Heron detachment of Air Force and Army personnel.

“Air power of the future will involve a balance of manned and unmanned platforms. In particular a long endurance UAV can enhance force protection by providing ground commanders with real time intelligence,” Senator Faulkner said.

“The experience that Air Force gains in operating long endurance UAVs in Afghanistan will also help shape the development of unmanned Defence capabilities for Australia through the next decade,” Senator Faulkner said.

Heron can conduct operations in excess of 24 hours, with a maximum speed of more than 100 knots (180 km/h) and at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.

This leading edge technology is operationally proven and provides Australia with an essential capability. It also allows Australian Defence Industry involvement, with companies including Geospatial Intelligence, Carbine Security Installations and Fujitsu Australia.