Elbit Hermes 900

Summary

Description

The Elbit Systems Hermes 900 Kochav ("Star") is an Israeli medium-size, multi-payload, medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for tactical missions and is a successor to the Hermes 450 series. Designed by Elbit Systems, it was created with a primary mission of reconnaissance, surveillance, and communications relay. The Hermes 900 underwent test flights before its initial operational deployment. It was first used by Israel during Operation Protective Edge in July 2014, even though it was not planned for operational deployment until late 2015.

The Hermes 900 is characterized as a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, designed with reconnaissance, surveillance, and communications relay as its primary missions. It has a wingspan of 15 m and a gross weight of 1,100 kg. The Hermes 900 has a payload capability of 300 kg (660 lb), though some sources list it as 450 kg (990 lb). Payload options include electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic-aperture radar/ground-moving target indication, communications and electronic intelligence, electronic warfare, and hyperspectral sensors. It can also carry Spike missiles. Power is provided by a Rotax 916 engine producing 160 kW (210 hp).

The Hermes 900 saw its first operational use by Israel during Operation Protective Edge in July 2014, earlier than its planned deployment in late 2015. Maintenance during this initial deployment was handled by Elbit personnel. In one instance in April 2024, a Hermes 900 was shot down by Hezbollah using a surface-to-air missile in southern Lebanon; another was downed in June of the same year. Azerbaijan has procured the Hermes 900, with Azerbaijani media reporting up to 15 units purchased as of August 2017, a purchase which was confirmed by the Azerbaijani government in May 2018. During the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani skirmishes, Armenia claimed to have shot down an Azerbaijani Hermes 900 drone, a claim that Azerbaijan denied. During the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods, the Brazilian Air Force deployed Hermes 900 drones to locate flood victims, leading to the rescue of 36 people; however, one drone crashed due to a technical problem, leading to the purchase of a replacement in September 2024.

Main Variants:

• Adani Drishti-10 Starliner: This is the Indian variant of the Hermes 900, co-manufactured with Adani Defence & Aerospace.

• Hermes 900 Kochav: This is the Israeli Air Force designation for the Hermes 900, equipped with undisclosed specialist payloads.

• Hermes 900 StarLiner/HFE (Heavy Fuel Engine): This is the Swiss model of the drone, featuring changes such as a heavier engine with more power and modified wings/wingspan.

Technical specifications

All operators

Azerbaijan • Brazil • Canada • Switzerland • Chile • Colombia • Europe • Iceland • Israel • Morocco • Mexico • Philippines

Photo of Hermes 900