Elbit introduces Hermes 900 UAS for maritime surveillance

Elbit Systems has unveiled a variant of its Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) tailored specifically for maritime missions, the company said Feb. 4.

The company is exhibiting the Hermes 900 variant at the Aero-India 2013 under way at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bangalore.

The Hermes 9000 maritime variant can carry payloads of up to 350 kg. (771 pounds) and has satellite communications capabilities that enable it to fly as far as 1,000 nautical miles from shore.

The payload suite for the maritime configuration offers surveillance radar, an automatic identification system, an electro-optical multi-sensor payload and electronic surveillance systems.

The maritime variant is designed to cover vast ocean areas and features satellite communications links and radio relay that enable it to relay communications from the operator to the crews of vessels at sea.

Elbit has designed a maritime UAS ground control station that enables the controller to operate two UAS simultaneously. The command and control ground station is housed in a shelter that can be operated on shore in a mobile shelter base, as well as indoor configurations for vessels at sea.