Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed a $200m contract to provide unmanned aerial systems services, based around the company’s Heron UAV, to a country in the Asia-Pacific region.
The June 1 announcement marks the fourth significant contract for the provision of unmanned aerial system services this year and further expands the use of the Heron platform. At present, a variety of Heron models are utilised for operational missions by over 20 customers worldwide.
In January this year IAI signed two deals with a Central Asian country valued for the provision of at least three Heron Mk II platforms, two of which would be delivered under a lease agreement. The contract included reconnaissance payloads and associated land infrastructure.
The Heron Mk II has an operational ceiling of 35,000ft, maximum speed of 140 knots, and can stay in the air for up to 45 hours. The platform has an automated remote takeoff, landing, and control capability, and can carry a range of COMINT and ELINT payloads.
