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Hermes 900 Kochav (Star)

The Israeli Air Force completed the operational absorption process of the manned "remote" aircraft, after a series of training and pilot flights in August 2017. The remotely manned aircraft constitutes an enhanced version of the Hermes 450 Tech. The main objective is to double the forces and capabilities of the corps in terms of size, carrying capacity, time spent in the air and flight range, while the trailer, communication systems and operating modes and maintenance methods are maintained. The absorption of aircraft without the need for changes in cost and length of training.

Despite the similarities between the vessels, the absorption process in the Corps included a series of experimental flights and martial arts adjustments, and was nearing the end of Operation "Cliff Eitan". Within a few days, the installation of one "Kochav" model was made possible, and it performed its first mission on July 15, 2014. The operation was made possible thanks to the cooperation with Elbit, which carried out all the maintenance of the aircraft. The unmanned pilot "Star" sample for an orderly absorption process in the flicker squadron, alongside regular activities of the Hermes 450.

Hermes 900 is our next-generation multi-role MALE UAS. It features over-the-horizon, persistent multi-mission, multi-payload capabilities with a class-leading payload carrying capacity of 350 kg. Hermes 900 is capable of performing missions for area dominance and persistent ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance).

Hermes 900 can also be utilized for ground support and maritime patrol missions, as well as for integrated multi-platform, multi-sensor operations. Based on the heritage of over 300,000 operational flight hours of the Hermes 450 UAS, the Hermes 900 employs identical building blocks using a larger air vehicle with nearly double the performance.

Hermes 900 incorporates flexible, cutting-edge, multi-payload configurations. The system employs standard and long-range EO/IR/laser, SAR / GMTI & MPR, COMINT/DF, COMINT GSM, COMMJAM, ELINT, EW, hyperspectral systems, large area scanning systems, wide area persistent surveillance and other payloads.

Mission management is performed in a highly autonomous manner via the Hermes ground control system (GCS) designed to control combined Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 missions. Hermes 900 can perform two concurrent missions from the same GCS using two ground data terminals (GDT). Hermes 900 is the most recent MALE UAS procured by the IDF as well as by multiple international customers.

Drawing on the legacy of the widely operational Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 and their proven technologies, Elbit Systems has conducted an extensive multi-year R&D effort focusing on producing a mature UAS that complies with civilian airspace regulations and can be safely integrated into European NAS. Elbit Systems commenced global marketing of the Hermes™ 900 StarLiner, a powerful and trend setting MALE UAS that features adverse weather capabilities and is fully compliant with NATO’s STANAG 4671, qualifying it to be safely integrated into civilian airspace and fly in the same environment with manned aircraft.

Concluding an extensive year-long flying schedule, the Hermes 900 StarLiner has been performing Civil Aviation Authority certified flights in Masada National Park, Israel. A series of the Hermes 900 StarLiner (known as Hermes 900 HFE in the Swiss program) is currently being assembled for the Swiss Armed Forces and is scheduled to be delivered and integrated into Switzerland National Airspace (NAS) during 2019.

Security events, such as the dismantling of ISIS and diverse geo-political tensions, have caused European countries to re-orient defense efforts from involvement in far-away conflicts to coping with intensifying homeland and border security challenges. This shift has resulted in a growing demand for advanced yet mature UAS that can be safely integrated into civilian airspace and provide the technological capabilities that are required to effectively and safely perform complex homeland and border security missions.