Air Force Accepts First Hermes 450
The Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s first Hermes 450 medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israeli firm Elbit Systems was formally accepted to Air Force service on October 16 under the 3031st Unmanned Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron, MaxDefense Philippines said October 28.
“Additional units will be formally accepted into service soon,” it added.
Moreover, MaxDefense noted that “starting this week or next week, the PAF will start flight tests on two of their newly-delivered Hermes 900 UAVs, which we expect as being assembled as we post this.”
During September 30 Senate committee hearing on Department of National Defense (DND)’s 2020 budget, Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that PAF received its first two Hermes 450.
Under the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Level 3 Acquisition Project through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, PAF is set to receive 1 complete system of Hermes 450 with 3 brand new UAVs and 3 complete systems of Hermes 900 with 3 UAVs each. (Mintfo)
Philippines receives Hermes 900 drones ordered from Israel
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received partial delivery of ordered Hermes 900 medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israeli firm Elbit Systems.
A photo of said delivered Hermes 900 UAVs was uploaded by MaxDefense Philippines in its social networking page on November 2.
The delivery is part of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Level 3 Acquisition Project through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. Under this project, PAF is set to receive 1 complete system of Hermes 450 with 3 brand new UAVs and 3 complete systems of Hermes 900 with 3 UAVs each.
Also according to MaxDefense Philippines, the Hermes 900 UAV conducted its first local flight morning of November 1 after delivery a few weeks ago.
According to Elbit, in its website, Hermes 900 “features over-the-horizon, persistent multi-mission, multi-payload capabilities with class leading payload carrying capacity of 350 kgs. It is capable of performing missions for area dominance, persistent intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR). Hermes 900 also can perform ground support and maritime patrol missions, and offers the capability for integrated multi-platform, multi-sensor operation.”
“Hermes 900 incorporates flexible cutting edge multi- payload configurations employing 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,” it added.
PAF earlier received delivery of Hermes 450 UAVs also under the said acquisition project.
(Mintfo)