Germany begins Heron 1 UAV operations in Mali

[Zarvan]

Germany's Heron 1 unit in Mali carried out its first operational flight on 1 November. Source: Bundeswehr
The German military contingent in Mali's first Heron 1 medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit performed its first operational flight on 1 November from its base of Gao.

The Bundeswehr announced the flight lasted close to six hours and had shown excellent results, but added that there was still a lot of work to be done before the Heron squadron is fully established in Mali.

The UAV capability is being provided by Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS), a subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space, which signed a contract with the German Defence Procurement Agency in July to provide three such UAVs as well as maintenance and overhaul services as part of the Bundeswehr's contribution to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

The contract covers operations until February 2018, at which point it will be extended or the aircraft withdrawn.

Airbus DS is leasing the Herons from their manufacturer Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This arrangement is similar to the one implemented in Afghanistan to support the Bundeswehr contribution to the International Security Assistance Mission (ISAF).

The first equipment for the Heron deployment arrived in Mali in early September and the first test flight was carried out on 29 October.

The Heron unit comprises 10 Bundeswehr personnel and civilian operators contracted by ADAS. The unit is operating as part of MINUSMA's All Sources Information Fusion Unit (ASIFU). The Bundeswehr has said the UAVs are expected to operate at a maximum range of 800 km.

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