Military Wiki
Military Wiki
Hermes 900
Elbit Hermes 900s
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin Flag of Israel Israel
Manufacturer Elbit Systems
Designer Elbit Systems
First flight December 9, 2009[1]
Status Ordered
Developed from Elbit Hermes 450

The Elbit Systems Hermes 900 is an Israeli medium size multi-payload unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for medium altitude long endurance (MALE) tactical missions. It has an endurance of over 30 hours, can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet, with a primary mission of reconnaissance, surveillance and communications relay. The Hermes 900 has a wingspan of 15 m and weighs 970 kg, with a payload capability of 300 kg.[2]

Operators[]

Hermes 900 operators

Map with Elbit Hermes 900 operators in blue

  • Flag of Brazil Brazil
Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract to supply a Hermes 900 unmanned air system to the Brazilian air force.[3]
  • Flag of Chile Chile
In July 2011, Elbit reported the first export sale of its Hermes 900 UAV to the Chilean Air Force. The Chilean choice followed evaluation of two classes of UAVs. At the high end were the Elbit Hermes 900 and IAI Heron. At the lower (tactical) level were Elbit Hermes 450, and Aerostar from Aeronautics Defense Systems.[4] Three Hermes 900 UAVs are operated by the Chilean Air Force. In October 2013, the Chilean Navy began evaluating the Hermes 900 for procurement for maritime patrol tasks.[5]
  • Flag of Colombia Colombia
In August 2012, Elbit won a multi-million-dollar contract to supply a mixed fleet of Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 unmanned air systems to Colombia.[6] In July 2013, the Colombian Air Force confirmed they have one Hermes 900 on order, to be accepted in the coming months.[7]
  • Flag of Israel Israel
The Israeli air force has equipped its Elbit Systems Hermes 900 unmanned air vehicles with undisclosed specialist payloads, and formally named the type "Kochav" (Star).[8] The UAV made its first operational flight during "Protective Edge" operation in Gaza in July 2014.[9]
  • Flag of Mexico Mexico
In January 2012, Elbit announced it has been awarded a $50 million contract to supply two Hermes 900 systems to an undisclosed customer "in the Americas",[10][11] later revealed to be the Mexican Federal Police.[12][13]
  • Flag of Switzerland  Switzerland
In June 2014 Switzerland’s procurement agency selected the Hermes 900 to meet the nation’s requirement. The design had been in competition with IAI Heron to replace the RUAG Ranger UAV currently in service with the Swiss armed forces. Six Hermes 900 will replace the 15 Ruag Rangers by 2019.[14][15] Switzerland wil use the Hermes under the designation ADS 15.

Specifications[]

Hermes 900

Elbit Hermes 900 UAV

Data from http://defense-update.com/features/2009/december/hermes900_first_flight_091209.html

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 on ground
  • Capacity: 300 kg
  • Length: 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
  • Gross weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 914

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 220 km/h (137 mph; 119 kn)
  • Cruising speed: 112 km/h (70 mph; 60 kn)
  • Endurance: 36 hours
  • Service ceiling: 9,144 m (30,000 ft)

References[]

  1. Hermes 900 First Flight
  2. Nissan, Yosi (2010-02-05). "חוזה לאלביט מערכות עם משרד הביטחון בהיקף 50 מיליון דולר" (in Hebrew). Globes. http://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?QUID=1056,U1272834508247&did=1000556518. Retrieved 2010-02-05. 
  3. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/brazil-to-boost-world-cup-security-with-unmanned-hermes-397427/
  4. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:690a1901-2fb1-479d-a71b-d422738cbd41
  5. Chilean navy considers Hermes 900 deal - Flightglobal.com, 7 October 2013
  6. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/elbit-systems-sells-hermes-uavs-to-colombia-375131/
  7. La Fuerza Aérea de Colombia confirma finalmente la recepción de los UAVs Hermes 900 y 450 de Elbit Systems - Infodefensa.com, 24 July 2013
  8. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/hermes-900-stars-for-israel-397382/
  9. http://www.iaf.org.il/4410-42217-en/IAF.aspx
  10. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/elbits-hermes-900-wins-new-export-deal-366448/
  11. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=8733179&c=MID&s=TOP
  12. "Elbit's Mystery Sale to Latin America". Aviation Week. March 13, 2012. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A4982f0e0-5d66-4eb6-97c1-5dbe7bd65c54. Retrieved 2012-03-21. 
  13. Secretaria de Hacienda y Credito Publico - Mexico. Clave de Cartera: 1136C000004; numero de solicitud: 33955; Nombre: "Adquisición de aviones no tripulados, segmento de tierra y cargas útiles adicionales para la Policía Federal."
  14. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/switzerland-selects-hermes-900-as-ranger-replacement-400129/
  15. ADS 15 - Aufklärungsdrohnensysteme 15

External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Elbit Hermes 900 and the edit history here.