Hermes 900 was able to fly in unsegregated and uncontrolled
airspace in full alignment with the UK Civil Aviation
Authority
LONDON, Sept. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Elbit
Systems' Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) recently
successfully completed a series of flight demonstrations for the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The demonstration were run by
the MCA and were designed to test the capabilities of using a UAS
to enhance Search and Rescue (SaR) capabilities and the use of
long-range unmanned capabilities in civilian airspace.
Taking place off the West Coast of Wales over the first two weeks of September,
the Hermes 900 was able to fly advanced Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS)
missions into unsegregated and uncontrolled airspace, in full
alignment with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The success
of these trials is a significant step forward in enhancing the
capabilities of the MCA as they seek to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of its search and rescue operations while reducing
the risk to MCA personnel in the field. Elbit Systems UK is closely
collaborating with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, supported by
additional UK companies, including Inzpire and Aviation Systems
Group.
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/cHz4c6B6jKc
In the recent demonstration, the Hermes 900 equipped with search
and rescue specific radar, an Automatic Identification System
(AIS), EO/IR payload, an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB) and full satellite communications, was deployed on a range
of missions that simulated shore-line rescues, water rescues in
dangerous air space and long-distance ship rescues which crossed
international air space lines.
With a wingspan of 15m, the 1.2
ton, Hermes 900 is already deployed with more than a dozen advanced
customers around the globe providing search, rescue and
reconnaissance capabilities. The Company offers extended
life-saving capabilities with its recently launched Hermes 900
Maritime Patrol configuration with inflated life-rafts for
detection, identification and saving the lives of survivors at sea.
It was revealed that this configuration was delivered to
an undisclosed customer in South-East Asia.
Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit
Systems UK commented: "We are pleased to have had the
opportunity to showcase our enhanced search and rescue capabilities
to the MCA this week. The Hermes 900 is perfectly equipped to deal
with the needs of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and we are
proud to be able to support them as they continue with their vital,
life-saving work."
Director of HM Coastguard Claire
Hughes said: "We continue to do all we can to use
existing technology as well as look to the future in our ongoing
work of saving lives at sea. Remotely piloted aircraft continue to
be a big part of that work both to potentially save lives in search
and rescue and protect our beautiful coastlines from the worst
effects of pollution."
About Elbit Systems UK
Elbit Systems UK Ltd (ESUK) holds four wholly-owned subsidiaries
as well as two joint ventures. In total, over 500 personnel are
employed by the Elbit Systems UK companies, in high tech roles in
the defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The two joint ventures
were formed in order to deliver the Watchkeeper programme for the
British Army and to supply and support three fleets of aircraft
within the UK MOD Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS)
programme.
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international high technology company
engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security and
commercial programs throughout the world. The Company, which
includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas
of aerospace, land, and naval systems, command, control,
communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and
reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned aircraft systems, advanced
electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, signal
intelligence systems, data links and communications systems, radios
and cyber-based systems and munitions. The Company also focuses on
the upgrading of existing platforms, developing new technologies
for defense, homeland security and commercial applications and
providing a range of support services, including training and
simulation systems.
For additional information, visit: https://elbitsystems.com,
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Video - https://youtu.be/cHz4c6B6jKc
Contact:
Victoria Mackarness
CMS Strategic
Victoria.Mackarness@cmstrategic.com
+44 (0)7852 128075
Dana Tal-Noyman
Manager International Corporate Communications
Tel: +972-77-2948809
Cell: +972-54-9998809
dana.tal@elbitsystems.com