Elbit Lands Hermes 900 Deal With Global Customer for Maritime Surveillance
Israeli defense company Elbit Systems has won a $120-million contract to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned aerial system for long-range maritime surveillance to an international customer.
The deal supports the growth in demand for autonomous systems capable of extended missions over land and sea, according to the company.
Elbit’s Hermes 900, designated the Kochav in the Israeli Defense Forces, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone that can handle multiple roles, including monitoring, intelligence gathering, and operational observations.
Since its first order in 2011, over 20 partner countries have purchased the system.
“We are proud to be selected once again to provide our Hermes 900 system to a valued international customer,” said Yoram Shmuely, general manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace.
“This contract reflects the trust our customers place in our solutions and our commitment to delivering operational superiority…and the continued demand for the Hermes 900 underscores our technological edge and operational experience in supporting complex missions across diverse environments.”
The Hermes 900 System
The Hermes 900 requires a ground crew of two and can carry a payload of 350 kilograms (772 pounds).
It has a length of 8 meters (26 feet) and a wingspan of 15 meters (49 feet), with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,180 kilograms (2,601 pounds).
The drone is powered by a 210-horsepower Rotax 916 engine to support a top speed of 120 knots (37 kilometers/23 miles per hour), a service ceiling of 9,100 meters (29,856 feet), and a range of 9,000 kilometers (5,592 miles).
The aircraft has endurance of 36 hours and can be equipped with armaments, including Spike fire-and-forget anti-tank/anti-personnel guided missiles.
