Elbit Systems UK signs MOU with Draken Europe to deliver UAS services

Draken Europe and Elbit Systems UK will collaborate on delivering contractor-owned UAS services. The Hermes 900 Starliner will be one of the systems meeting this agreement. (Elbit Systems UK)

Elbit Systems UK and British company Draken Europe have signed an agreement to collaborate on and support the delivery of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) services.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to meet a growing market interest for contractor-operated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) UAS services, Elbit Systems UK announced on 17 November.

As a developer and manufacturer of several ISR UAS systems, Elbit Systems UK will work with Draken Europe to utilise their service and operational experience to identify opportunities to exploit advanced UAS aircraft including Elbit Systems UK's Hermes 900 Starliner.

Hermes 900 Starliner is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS that is compliant with NATO's STANAG 4671 and is certified for civil aviation. It incorporates air-to-air radar sensors, a terrain avoidance warning system, as well as redundant broad bandwidth line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) datalinks. It is fitted with multispectral payloads including Elbit Systems' Spectro XR and SkEye WAPS, L3Harris Technologies' Wescam MX15/20, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' MIST G as well as a laser designator.

Paul Armstrong, CEO at Draken Europe said that the “development of civil aviation-compliant [unmanned] systems is a natural next step in this sector and our co-operation with Elbit Systems UK gives us a partnership with a manufacturer that benefits from decades of proven operational experience and a flexible approach, willing to adapt its systems to meet evolving end-customer requirements”.