Elbit Systems has developed a multi-mission small tactical unmanned aircraft system (STUAS) designed for land and maritime operations dubbed Hermes 45 that has a maximum operating endurance of more than 24 hours. The new system has a blended wing design with a combustion engine driving a pusher propeller. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 65 kg, including a payload capacity of up to 15 kg, and can simultaneously operate with up to three payloads. Hermes 45 has a maximum operating endurance of more than 24 hours, a maximum takeoff weight of 65 kg, and can simultaneously operate with up to three payloads. Hermes 45 leverages Elbit Systems’ extensive experience indeveloping unmanned aircraft – including the Skylark UAS andHermes UAS suites – which are fully operational by land and airforces, navies and intelligence services worldwide
Hermes 45 offers a unique combination of extended range and duration with point launch and recovery, to and from land and maritime platforms thus enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities at the brigade and division levels and also for naval squadron units. Hermes 45 features flight range of 200km or an extended Beyond Line of Sight range (via Satellite Communication) and an internal payload bay that supports multi-payload operation, including EO/IR, Marine-Radar, Terrain Dominance, Electronic Warfare (EW) and communications. The Hermes 45 is operated by a two-person crew, launched from a short onboard platform rail, and is recovered by an automated spot landing system.
