Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) will supply the Israel defense
Forces (IDF) with additional Hermes class UAVs and will upgrade
existing Hermes 450 type
UAVs currently in service. The company announced yesterday
the receipt of a three year contract worth about $30 million system
improvement program, which will enhance and expand the IDF's existing
Hermes 450 based platform. Earlier this year the IDF officially
acknowledged that the Hermes 450 is operational with its UAV units
for several years. During the recent war in Lebanon its UAVs flew
many combat sorties providing ISR and combat support for air and
ground operations. (More...)
The Hermes 450 UAVs are operated by various
military forces worldwide and are deployed in battlefields such
as Iraq and Afghanistan to the full satisfaction of the customers.
Since the first deployment of the Hermes 450, the aircraft was
successfully marketed worldwide, and was selected by several
international customers, including the UK and Singapore. Elbit
recently introduced an enhanced version known as Hermes 450B,
designed for the Watchkeeper program. This platform provides
more robust airframe, increased payload capacity and extended
endurance. In addition to the airframe enhancements, Elbit recently
introduced more advanced ground control system which can simultaneously
control multiple aircraft. Other improvements included enhanced
automatic landing and takeoff capability and advanced mission
equipment and payloads offering better performance.
A
larger platform known as Hermes
900 is currently in final development and is expected to undergo
flight testing in the coming months. This aircraft will share
the same infrastructure and systems of the Hermes 450. It is assumed
that the IDF will eventually field the Hermes 900.
A
larger platform known as