Elbit Hermes 900

Hermes 900
Elbit Hermes 900 takeoff
Role Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle
National origin Israel
Manufacturer Elbit Systems
First flight December 9, 2009[1]
Introduction 2012[2]
Status In service
Primary users Israeli Air Force
Philippine Air Force
Swiss Air Force
Developed from Elbit Hermes 450

The Elbit Systems Hermes 900 Kochav ("Star")[3] is an Israeli medium-size, multi-payload, medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for tactical missions. It is a successor to the Hermes 450 series of drones, one of the most widely used military drones in the world.[4]

It has an endurance of over 30 hours and can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet (9,100 m), with a primary mission of reconnaissance, surveillance and communications relay. The Hermes 900 has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft) and weighs 970 kg (2,140 lb), with a payload capability of 300 kg (660 lb).[5] Payload options include electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic-aperture radar/ground-moving target indication, communications and electronic intelligence, electronic warfare, and hyperspectral sensors.[6]

  1. ^ "Hermes 900 First Flight". Archived from the original on 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  2. ^ "Elbit Hermes 900 (Kochav) Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)". www.militaryfactory.com.
  3. ^ A Star Is Born: A Name Is Chosen For the "Hermes 900" UAV - IAF.org.il, 20 March 2014
  4. ^ "You are being redirected..." elbitsystems.com. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  5. ^ Nissan, Yosi (2010-02-05). חוזה לאלביט מערכות עם משרד הביטחון בהיקף 50 מיליון דולר (in Hebrew). Globes. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2010-02-05.
  6. ^ Israel Hermes 900 training nears completion - Flightglobal.com, 21 September 2015