Elbit Hermes 450

Summary

Description

Elbit Systems' Hermes 450 is a medium-sized multi-payload unmanned aerial vehicle designed for tactical long endurance missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and communications relay. This UAV, which has an endurance of over 20 hours, is distinguished by its cylindrical-shaped fuselage, high straight wings, and a V-tail configuration. It features an autopilot system capable of autonomous operation from takeoff to landing, with control available entirely from a ground station. The Hermes 450 design also served as the basis for the Thales Watchkeeper WK450 and Hermes 900 programs.

Power is provided by a Wankel engine. An Elbit announcement in 2008 indicated the use of a new R902(W) engine weighing approximately 40 kilograms (88 lb) and developing 70 brake horsepower (52 kW) through electronic fuel control.

The Hermes 450 is constructed to accommodate a variety of payloads with a total capacity of 180 kg (400 lb), including electro-optical/infrared sensors, communications and electronic intelligence systems, synthetic-aperture radar/ground-moving target indication (SAR/GMTI) technology, electronic warfare equipment, and hyperspectral sensors. It also has the option of carrying four Rafael Spike missiles or four Mikholit missiles, although the UK Ministry of Defence did not opt for wing-mounted armament on their versions.

The Hermes 450 has seen operational use across multiple continents and diverse conflict zones. Israel has employed the UAV extensively in the Gaza Strip, during the Second Lebanon War, and in the 2009 Sudan air raids. Notably, several Hermes 450 drones were lost during the 2006 Lebanon War due to technical issues and operator error. More recently, during the 2023-2024 clashes with Hezbollah, Israeli Hermes 450 drones have been shot down over Lebanese territory. Azerbaijan also operates the Hermes 450, with one reportedly shot down over the Republic of Artsakh in 2011. In other parts of the world, the United Kingdom utilized the Hermes 450 in Afghanistan and Iraq under a leasing contract, accumulating significant flight hours before replacing them with the Watchkeeper WK450. Georgia used the Hermes 450 for reconnaissance over Abkhazia, where several were shot down during the 2008 conflict with Russia. Brazil deployed at least one Hermes 450 during the 2018 military intervention in Rio de Janeiro for ISR purposes. The United States tested the Hermes 450 for border patrol and agricultural surveillance.

Main Variants:

• R902(W) Wankel Engine Variant: Features a new Wankel engine developing 70 brake horsepower with electronic fuel control.

• Armed variant: Capable of carrying four Rafael Spike missiles for strike missions.

• Thales Watchkeeper WK450: A British Army variant developed in conjunction with Thales, serving as a basis for its design.

• Hermes 450LE: A long endurance version, capable of flying for up to 30 hours.

• British Hermes 450: This version uniquely used laser gyroscopes in its inertial navigation system.

Technical specifications

All operators

Azerbaijan • Brazil • Botswana • Colombia • United Kingdom • Georgia • Israel • Mexico • North Macedonia • Philippines • Singapore • Thailand • United States • Zambia

Photo of Hermes 450