Elbit develops UAV maritime rescue capability

Elbit Systems has developed a rescue capability for the maritime patrol-variant of its Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The Israeli company announced on 7 May that its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol now has the ability to carry and drop life rafts for long-range search and rescue (SAR) operations.

“The Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol can carry up to four, six-person life-rafts that are integrated on its wings. Using an onboard maritime radar, the [Hermes] detects survivor situations. Upon detection the [Hermes’] electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload is deployed to provide visual identification, and a rapid calculation of the drop-point is performed, enabling the [Hermes] to dispatch life rafts from a low altitude of 600 ft to a pin-pointed location at a safe distance from the survivors. A gradual inflation process of the life-rafts is initiated after dispatch and is completed upon landing,” Elbit said.

Elbit noted that the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol with this capability was recently delivered to an undisclosed Southeast Asian country. Jane’s has previously reported that the Philippines has received at least two of nine Hermes 900s it has ordered.

The Hermes 900 has a maximum take-off weight of 970 kg, is able to carry a payload of 300 kg, can operate up to about 30,000 ft, and can stay aloft for up to 30 hours. Besides the Philippines, it is known to be in service with Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, and Switzerland, as well as with the European Union and United Nations.