Elbit Hermes-450

The Elbit Hermes-450 is a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle created by the Elbit Sistems designed for tactical multirole missions.

Descriptions
The model 450 is the intermediate model of the Hermes family of unmanned surveillance aircraft. Hermes-450 can fly distances up to 200km from the command post, and can also use satellites to navigate. Hermes-450 is completely autonomous and does not require operator intervention to fly. Likewise, his autopilot allows landing in small semi-prepared runways. The engine of the aircraft type is a Wankel engine, manufactured in Britain by UEL - UAV Engines Ltd. In 2008, one of these vehicles, in property of Georgia was killed by a Russian MiG-29 aircraft entered in Georgian territory, and launched a short-range missile against aircraft in the 2008 South Ossetia War.

Operators

 * Brazil
 * The Brazilian Federal Police operates a total of 15 Hermes 450 to combat urban violence (Favelas) and drug trafficking.The Brazilian Air Force also has, since December 2009 a unit under lease for 1 year of testing and evaluations in conjunction with the Brazilian Army and Brazilian Navy.
 * Croatia
 * Two Hermes 450 were ordered by the Croatian military along with two smaller Skylark UAVs in late 2006, delivered in late 2007.
 * Georgia
 * Hermes 450 have also been used by Georgia for reconnaissance over its disputed Abkhazia territory, where some were shot down.
 * Mexico
 * The Mexican Air Force acquired the Hermes 450 system in 2009.
 * Singapore
 * The Singapore Ministry of Defence announced that the Republic of Singapore Air Force is adding the Hermes 450 to its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle fleet, as part of the Air Force's new UAV command.
 * Israel
 * The Israeli Air Force, which operates a Hermes 450 squadron out of Palmachim Airbase south of Tel Aviv, has adapted the Hermes 450 for use as an assault UAV, reportedly equipping it with two Hellfire missiles or, according to various sources, two Rafael-made missiles. According to Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese and independent reports, the Israeli assault UAV has seen extensive service in the Gaza Strip and was used intensively in the Second Lebanon War as well as in the 2009 Sudan air raids. Israel has not denied this capability, but to date, its policy has been not to officially confirm it either.
 * United Kingdom
 * The H450 is operated by the 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery of the British Army on military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The British version is the only Hermes to use laser gyros800px-Hermes_450_take_off.jpg in its inertial navigation system. It does not have the option for wing mounted armament. The Hermes 450 is the basis of the British Army's Watchkeeper WK450 development which started in July 2005 in conjunction with Thales. Watchkeeper is scheduled to replace Hermes in 2010.
 * United States
 * Hermes 450s are operated by the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Test and Evaluation Program at the Naval Air Station Fallon, and two Hermes 450s were tested by the U.S. Border Patrol in 2004.

General Caracteristics

 * Crew: 0
 * Capacity: 150 kg
 * Length: 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
 * Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
 * Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
 * Powerplant: 1 × UEL R802/902(W) Wankel engine, 39 kW (52 hp)

Performance

 * Maximum speed: 176 km/h (109 mph; 95 kn)
 * Cruising speed: 130 km/h (81 mph; 70 kn)
 * Range: 200 km (124 mi; 108 nmi)
 * Endurance: 20 hours (450LE - 30 hours)
 * Service ceiling: 5,486 m (18,000 ft)
 * Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (900 ft/min)