IAI’s Malat has extended the Heron Family of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), adding a lighter weight variant optimised for tactical operations.
The T-Heron can fly at a maximum speed of 120 km/h, climb to a maximum altitude of 24,000 feet and remain on a mission for 24 hours. With a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg, less than half the weight of the Heron I, the T-Heron can carry a useful weight of 180 kg, supporting multiple sensors for reconnaissance and intelligence surveillance and ongoing surveillance missions. On each mission, T-Heron can carry few payloads, including radars, EO/IR, SIGINT, COMINT, along with broadband datalinks, operating in line-of-sight and over a satellite terminal, supporting the simultaneous download of information from all payloads. Maintaining a cruising altitude of 21,000 ft., the T-Heron can use long-range EO/IR payloads looking 100 km deep across borders. This capability is unique to the T-Heron of all tactical UAS, providing valuable intelligence while remaining at standoff range from the enemy’s air defence.
The platform features a highly efficient design for tactical ISR missions. The retractable forward landing gear clears the view for the EO/IR and radar sensors, while placements for COMINT/SIGINT antennae are located on the wingtips and booms to minimise obstruction and maximise antennae separation for optimal performance. Wing-mounted pods carry additional electronic sensors or expendable payloads such as markers or lifeboats on search and rescue missions.
The T-Heron uses a 70 percent downscaled Heron I design. With 10-meter wingspan and low center of gravity placed well within the large, rectangular payload bay, the T-Heron provides a robust, flexible platform carrying internal and external payloads to meet different payload configurations supporting various missions. The wings are reinforced and fitted with hardpoints supporting external carriage. The new variant is designed and built as a certifiable UAS, in compliance with STANAG 4671 standard. Addressing all the Standard’s criteria, T-Heron uses a FAR33 certified Rotax 912iSC aviation engine, and fully redundant safety-critical systems including power distribution, flight control, and communications. The aircraft has an integral ‘pilot window,’ using a tail-mounted panoramic camera and provisions for deicing ensuring flight safety at high altitude and in icing conditions. To enable sharing the airspace with civilian aircraft, T-Heron also carries IFF/TCAS for identification and collision avoidance.
The T-Heron is designed to operate in extreme environmental conditions, including high altitude, a temperature range of -40 to +55C, crosswinds of 20 knots, and rain flow of 50mm per hour.
IAI’s standard iUCS mission control systems are used to conduct the mission from the ground. The iUCS supports all mission phases, platform, and payloads. The modular iUCS supports different configurations for tactical deployment in armoured vehicles or shelters, maritimeand airborne platforms. The system is designed to operate with a single crewmember or stack several iUCS to support larger crews on more complex missions. The T-Heron’s payloads can also be controlled from portable terminals, using the two-way remote terminal (RVT).
Built to operate from short, unpaved surfaces, T-Heron relies on integral brakes, power, and cooling, and is independent of specialised ground support equipment such as arresting cable, power and cooling carts. The system is stored and transported in two standard 20-foot ISO air-deployable containers, requiring two vehicles for field operation.On tactical deployment, the system can minimise the support crew, utilising the Heron family ‘Long Runner’ remote operation feature, forward-deployed T-Heron can be controlled remotely from a control centre, performing all functions, including takeoff, landing and taxing without relying on local support teams. IAI offers customers a full logistics package, providing flight line, intermediate and depot level (D level) maintenance and support, ensuring complete independence.
Boasting more than 1,700,000 operational flight hours in the service of 50 countries worldwide, IAI’s Heron Family now includes four variants. These variants perform missions spanning 24 hours and more, carry payloads of180kg to 1 ton, support Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (ISR) operations in strategic, operational, tactical missions,as well as Homeland Security (HLS), Search and Rescue (SAR), Maritime Patrol, and Anti-Submarine (MP/AS) missions.
