Elbit Systems and Alpha Design company of India announced Wednesday an agreement to build Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in India, for domestic customers and for export.
The two companies are likely to offer the Israeli UAV solution for the Indian Army requirement for tactical drones, missions currently fulfilled by IAI Searcher MK I and MK II and DRDO Nishant systems.
Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 share many common attributes, both on the platform and ground operations and support infrastructure. The fleet of hermes drones has a track record of over 500,000 accumulated flight hours. Among the key capabilities offered by the Hermes 900 are longer endurance, flight altitude of 30,000 ft. and a large payload capacity (up to 350kg).
A unique 2.5 meter long internal payload bay is provided, capable of accommodating up to 250 kg and allowing quick modular payload installation and replacement, as well as additional payload installation capacity including four hard points under the wings. The UAS includes innovative avionics and electronic systems, a low noise engine, as well as solutions that can be offered for sense and avoid capabilities and safe integration of the UAS into the relevant air space.
Source: Defense Update