ILA 2016: Heron TP showcased at Berlin

[Zarvan]

A full-scale mock-up of the IAI Heron TP being assembled ahead of the ILA 2016 event in Berlin. Source: IHS/Gareth Jennings
The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron TP medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made a debut of sorts in Berlin on 1 June, some six months after it was selected by the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) to fulfil its interim MALE UAV requirements.

A full-scale mock-up of the Israeli-built UAV was displayed at the biennial event taking place at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport running from 1 to 4 June.

Germany already fields three IAI Heron 1 UAVs, and in January announced that it is to lease between three and five of the larger and more capable Heron TPs instead. These will be operated by IAI in Israel, and will be available to the Bundeswehr from 2018.

According to media reports, the Heron TPs will be flown in an unarmed configuration and used exclusively for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) duties, though the German government has not ruled out their arming at a later date. The value of the deal is given as about EUR580 million (USD661 million).

The Heron TP will serve the Bundeswehr as an interim MALE UAV solution until the pan-European MALE2020 system becomes operational in about 2025. The Israeli platform was chosen for this purpose as leasing it does not require the full range of licenses and other documentation that might otherwise slowdown its entry into service.

Having first entered service with the Israeli Air Force in 2010, the Heron TP is the service's largest and most sophisticated UAV with a wingspan of 26 m and an all-up weight of 4,650 kg. With a stated operating altitude of 45,000 ft (although it is believed it can fly higher), the Heron TP is reported to have a 40-hour endurance. Although the Heron TP's range figures have not been disclosed, the platform's satellite communications (SATCOM) enable over-the-horizon operations.

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