Sunday, November 23, 2008

Heron

Heron TP

IOC: 2007

Origin
Israel

Contractor/s
Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI)

Family Members
Heron

Description: The Heron TP is a variant of Heron Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) powered by a turboprop engine developing 1,200-hp of power. The new engine allows the UAV to achieve an operational ceiling of 45,000-ft carrying maximum payload which stands above the commercial aviation traffic. Heron TP has been developed by Malat, a division of IAI, to meet the requirements of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). All in, the newest Heron version is a multi-payload multi-mission airborne system intended primarily for the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

The advanced Heron TP UAV can loiter for 36 hours carrying a 1,000 kg sensor package in its spacious payload compartment. The variety of sensors can operate simultaneously with multiple configurations. Heron TP is suitable for all weather conditions and features autonomic take off and landing (ATOL) with maximum safety, retractable landing gear, triple fully redundant avionics as well as easy, safe and reliable operation. A built-in data link provides line-of-sight communications while optionally Satellite Communications (SATCOM) may enable operations beyond line-of-sight (BLOS). Its payload variety includes: Electro-Optical (IR/TV) sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Multi-Purpose Radar.

Specifications
Accommodation: Unmanned

Dimensions: Length 14 m, Wingspan 26 m

Weights: Max Takeoff Weight 4,650 kg (10,251 lb), Payload 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)

Performance: Ceiling 45,000 ft (13,716 m), Endurance 36 hours

Power: Power 1,200 hp

Other: Number of Engines 1

News
Turboprop-Powered Heron TP UAV Reaches Record Altitude of 40,000-ft

Rheinmetall and IAI Offering Heron TP for Bundeswehr SAATEG Program

Dassault, Thales and Indra Submit Joint MALE UAV Offer to French and Spanish MoDs

Operators

Israel

Image Gallery

Internet Resources
iai.co.il

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Saturday, November 22, 2008

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