IAI Heron
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The Heron or Machatz-1 is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developed by the Malat division of Israel Aircraft Industries. It is capable of Medium (35,000 feet) Altitute, Long Endurance (MALE) operations of up to 52 hours' duration. It has demonstrated 52 hours of continuous flight, but the effective operational maximal flight duration is less, due to payload and flight profile.
On September 11, 2005 it was announced [1] that the Israel Defence Forces purchased US$50 million worth of Heron systems. The IDF's designation of the Heron is Machatz-1.
[edit] Navigation
Heron navigates using an internal GPS receiver, and either a pre-programmed flight profile (in which case the system is fully autonomous from takeoff to landing), manual override from a ground control station, or a combination of both. It can autonomously return to base and land in case of lost communication with the ground station. The system has fully automatic launch and recovery (ALR) and all-weather capabilities.
[edit] Payload
Heron can carry an array of sensors, including infra-red and visible-light surveillance, intelligence systems (COMINT and ELINT) and various radar systems, totaling up to 250 kg. Heron is also capable of target acquisition and artillery adjustment.
The payload sensors communicate with the ground control station in real-time, using either direct line of sight data link, or via an airborne/satellite relay. Like the navigation system, the payload can also be used in either a fully pre-programmed autonomous mode, or manual real-time remote operation, or a combination of both.
[edit] Specifications
[edit] General characteristics
- Crew: none
- Length: 8.94 m (29 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 16.60 m (54 ft 5 in)
- Height: m ( ft in)
- Wing area: m² ( ft²)
- Empty: kg ( lb)
- Loaded: kg ( lb)
- Maximum takeoff: 1,150 kg (2,530 lb)
- Powerplant: 1x Rotax 914, 86 kW (115 hp)
[edit] Performance
- Maximum speed: 207 km/h (130 mph)
- Range: 3,300 km (2,063 miles)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800 ft)
- Rate of climb:150 m/min ( m/min)
- Wing loading: 200kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
- Power/Mass: kW/kg ( hp/lb)
[edit] External links
- IAI Heron Update
- MALE UAV Applications
- UAV Sensor applications
- EO Sensors for UAVs
- SAR sensors for UAVs
[edit] Related content
Related development
- IAI Eithan : Israeli HALE UAV
Comparable aircraft
See also
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft • Aircraft manufacturers • Aircraft engines • Aircraft engine manufacturers • Airports • Airlines
Air forces • Aircraft weapons • Missiles • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) • Experimental aircraft
Notable accidents and incidents on commercial aircraft • Famous aviation-related deaths
