Government approves $400-million plan to procure armed Heron TP drones from Israel

[samlove]

NEW DELHI: The government has quietly approved the purchase of 10 missile-armed drones from Israel — a crucial acquisition that will enhance India's cross-border military strike capability. The $400-million proposal for buying armed Heron TP drones from Israel was cleared last week.
These drones will be operated by the Indian Air Force, which has a fleet of reconnaissance drones. IAF also has a fleet of Harpy UAVs from Israel, which are self-destructing systems primarily tasked with taking out enemy radar positions.
Senior defence ministry officials told ET on the condition of anonymity that the project has been accelerated under directions from the highest levels of government and that armed drones may join service within a year. The armed forces had proposed buying the same armed drones in 2012.
But that proposal did not get political backing in UPA-2, senior officials said. Officials ET spoke with said the project was revived and fasttracked by the Modi government earlier this year. Israel's armed Heron drones are similar to the Predator unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are capable of reconnaissance, combat and support roles.

A subsequent Heron-2 or Heron-TP variant is larger, with a bigger 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop to power it. Typical mission payload rises to 1,000 kg, which can be carried to around 45,000 feet, and the UAV has a maximum flight time of over 36 hours in favorable conditions.

India and Israel are not alone in being impressed by the Heron’s capabilities. As of 2011, leased Herons or Heron variants are operating in Afghanistan on behalf of the Australian, Canadian, French, and German armed forces; and have participated in demonstrations involving US SOUTHCOM and its Latin American partners. Subsequent years have also seen confirmed or rumored export sales to Brazil’s federal police, Ecuador’s navy, Singapore’s armed forces, and Turkey.

India already operates a fleet of unarmed Heron and Searcher UAVs for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The addition of armed UAVs will be a big capability enhancer for India and give it the option of taking out large terrorist camps or individual targets in hostile territory with minimal risk. Former Air Chief PV Naik said the acquisition of armed drones would be a significant addition to India's air power. "It is very good if something like this is happening. Instead of sending a pilot in a high-risk area, it is best to use an armed drone. The system can also be used for a surprise, sneak attack," he said.

Another official said the lack of capability to target terror camps across the border was also felt after the Manipur attack in June, which resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers. While a covert cross-border raid was carried out in retaliation, the lack of a low-risk, quick reaction platform to take out cross-border targets was severely felt.
While India is pursuing an indigenous drone program - Rustom 2 - being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the project is several years away from weaponised induction. Armed flight trials are yet to be carried out.
A senior team from Israel Aerospace Industries is in New Delhi currently. Israelis are exploring joint production of drones with India.

 

[samlove]

• 
  Heron 2/Mahatz 2/Heron TP/Eitan
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  After increasing media attention IAI Malat has finally taken the wraps of its newest UAV and the largest yet to be built in Israel, the Heron TP (Heron 2). The choice of Paris Air Show 2007 as the first public showing of the UAV confirms the maturing nature of the UAV market in Europe and IAI says it was difficult to secure the permissions to exhibit the aircraft.
  
  The MALE UAV, which is based on the original Heron design, has a wingspan of just under 26m, length of 14m, and the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 4650kg with a typical mission payload of 1000kg. The UAV is powered by a 1,200hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine that powers a four-blade propeller. The long wingspan and the extra power give the UAV much better endurance, range and altitude than Heron 1.
  
  According to officials the Heron TP has an operational altitude of 45,000ft and is capable of missions of more than 36 hours duration. The UAV has been designed to meet Israel Defence Force (IDF) requirements for a MALE UAV and made its first flights in 2006 at around the time of the Farnborough Air Show.
  
  The system has been dubbed Eitan by the Israel Air Force and is primarily being envisioned for the intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition role, after the IAF proved its concept of operations in Lebanon war 2006. However, the IDF is believed to be exploring a number of other roles for the aircraft including as an element in a future missile defence system.
  
  The Heron TP has a large payload capacity within its central body and can be fitted with a range of sensors. The UAV has a range of datalinks and is supported for both line of sight and beyond line of sight communications.
  
  
  
  
  IAI Heron TP UAV
  
  
  The HERON TP main features and capabilities are:
  
  • Multi mission platform with multiple operational configurations
  • Large internal volume for a variety of payloads
  • Simultaneous and flexible operation of payloads
  • All weather capability
  • Operation above commercial traffic
  • Satellite communication for extended range (SATCOM)
  • Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety
  • Triple, fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics
  • Retractable landing gear
  • Safe, reliable and easy operation
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Payloads
  
  • EO/IR/LRF
  • SAR
  • MPR
  • ELINT
  • COMINT
  Data Links
  
  • Liine of Sight
  • Satellite communication (SATCOM)
  Performance
  
  • Endurance: 36 hr
  • Range: Beyond Line os Sight (BLOS
  • Altitude: 45,000 ft
  Technical Data
  
  • Max take-off weight: 4,650 kg
  • Typical mission payload: 1,000 kg
  • Overall length 14 m
  • Wingspan 26 m
  • Engine: 1,200 Hp Turbo Prop

 

[samlove]

Heron in Production

 

[Thorough Pro]

LOL at "me too" Indians
Israel should pay 5% commission to Pakistan for send this customer his way

NEW DELHI: The government has quietly approved the purchase of 10 missile-armed drones from Israel — a crucial acquisition that will enhance India's cross-border military strike capability. The $400-million proposal for buying armed Heron TP drones from Israel was cleared last week.
These drones will be operated by the Indian Air Force, which has a fleet of reconnaissance drones. IAF also has a fleet of Harpy UAVs from Israel, which are self-destructing systems primarily tasked with taking out enemy radar positions.
Senior defence ministry officials told ET on the condition of anonymity that the project has been accelerated under directions from the highest levels of government and that armed drones may join service within a year. The armed forces had proposed buying the same armed drones in 2012.
But that proposal did not get political backing in UPA-2, senior officials said. Officials ET spoke with said the project was revived and fasttracked by the Modi government earlier this year. Israel's armed Heron drones are similar to the Predator unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are capable of reconnaissance, combat and support roles.

A subsequent Heron-2 or Heron-TP variant is larger, with a bigger 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop to power it. Typical mission payload rises to 1,000 kg, which can be carried to around 45,000 feet, and the UAV has a maximum flight time of over 36 hours in favorable conditions.

India and Israel are not alone in being impressed by the Heron’s capabilities. As of 2011, leased Herons or Heron variants are operating in Afghanistan on behalf of the Australian, Canadian, French, and German armed forces; and have participated in demonstrations involving US SOUTHCOM and its Latin American partners. Subsequent years have also seen confirmed or rumored export sales to Brazil’s federal police, Ecuador’s navy, Singapore’s armed forces, and Turkey.

India already operates a fleet of unarmed Heron and Searcher UAVs for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The addition of armed UAVs will be a big capability enhancer for India and give it the option of taking out large terrorist camps or individual targets in hostile territory with minimal risk. Former Air Chief PV Naik said the acquisition of armed drones would be a significant addition to India's air power. "It is very good if something like this is happening. Instead of sending a pilot in a high-risk area, it is best to use an armed drone. The system can also be used for a surprise, sneak attack," he said.

Another official said the lack of capability to target terror camps across the border was also felt after the Manipur attack in June, which resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers. While a covert cross-border raid was carried out in retaliation, the lack of a low-risk, quick reaction platform to take out cross-border targets was severely felt.
While India is pursuing an indigenous drone program - Rustom 2 - being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the project is several years away from weaponised induction. Armed flight trials are yet to be carried out.
A senior team from Israel Aerospace Industries is in New Delhi currently. Israelis are exploring joint production of drones with India.

 

[samlove]

LOL at "me too" Indians
Israel should pay 5% commission to Pakistan for send this customer his way

same way china should give us 5% commision

 

[Roybot]

Eitan is not an UCAV is it? Its just a reconnaissance UAV.

 

[Arya Desa]

LOL at "me too" Indians
Israel should pay 5% commission to Pakistan for send this customer his way

dont worry 1 buraq is equal to 10 Heron.

 

[ganesh623]

So we are going to use this in kashmir to get rid of unwanteds ?

 

[Indika]

Dont know about the capabilities or specs but Predator looks visually.

 

[Indika]

So we are going to use this in kashmir to get rid of unwanteds ?

Might be in cross border raids. No loss of life or high risk of capture of soldiers involved as such can just deny or show dont care attitude if it is captured or crashes across the border. Alternatively we can send them on kamikaze missions.
$400 million per year cost is ok if it achieves the objective of giving good headaches to the enemy. It will be low tech terrorism vs hi tech intimidation.

 

[Ind4Ever]

Heron TP (Eitan)
Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV

Weighing over four tons, Heron TP - also dubbed Heron 2 or “Eitan”, by its Israeli Air Force (IAF) designation - is designed to fly at high altitude on missions spanning over several days. Israel was seeking a MALE UAV capability for many years, in fact, the first application of an armed MALE UAV was considered in the mid 1990s, as an alternative for the Arrow ballistic missile defense system, also developed by IAI.
Eitan, derived from the `heron TP platform, was developed under an Israel Ministry Of Defence (IMOD) program.

Apart from long range, long endurance Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, Eitan is designed to execute a large variety of operational missions, including aerial refueling and strategic missile defense. Eitan made its maiden flight Friday, July 15, 2006 in Israel. The new MALE UAV will provide the Israel Air Force persistent, high altitude, long endurance ISR capability well beyond the reach of enemy air defenses, far beyond the Israeli borders.

While the program is unveiled in June 2007, Heron TP has already matured and, according to IAI, it is ready for serial production. Designed as a Multi-payload, Multi-mission platform to answer the requirements of the Israel Air Force, the HERON TP is powered by a single 1,200HP Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A Turbo-Prop engine, powering a four blade propeller. The use of such powerful turbo-prop engine enables the aircraft to climb and operate at altitude above 40,000 ft avoiding any airspace conflict with commercial aircraft traffic. Using on board fuel and power resources, Heron TP is able to sustain continuous missions for over 36 hours with full mission payload. The aircraft is also equipped with deicing systems protecting the aircraft when flying through icing conditions.

With maximum takeoff weight of 4650 kg, the 14 meter long aircraft can carry over 1,000 kg of sensors in its forward section, main payload bay, and the two bulges located at the end of each tail boom, offering optimal separation for specific systems. Other stores can be mounted along the wing, in internal and external positions. Heron TP could be fitted with wing hard-points for external stores. The aircraft is equipped with multiple datalinks, supporting line-of-sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) links via satellite


COMMUNICATIONS

The giant drone maintains the twin tail boom principle offering stable and redundant design and large payload bay located around the aircraft center of gravity, uninterrupted by the landing gear. This configuration allows for quick and simple payload reconfiguration on the flight line. Emphasis has been placed on the aircraft airworthiness design. Highest safety and reliability standards are used, including triple redundancy and fully Automated Take Off and Landing were embedded in the Heron TP, enabling it to fly safely also over urban areas.

The new platform will be able to deploy multiple sensors, and fly on extended missions for extended durations, beyond the capabilities of current UAVs. To enable extended operations, Eitan uses new highly redundant avionics suite based on new generation of UAV avionics and controllers developed by RADA.

Update - 21/02/2010: Israel's Air Force has formally accepted the Eitan ( Heron TP) UAV

 

[samlove]

Eitan is not an UCAV is it? Its just a reconnaissance UAV.

advanced heron tp drone can carry missiles ,it was first offered to germany

 

[Ind4Ever]

Our little devils !!!!


HARPY (Israel but my fav )

LAKSHYA

Rustom 1

R -2

UCAV !!!

 

[Roybot]

advanced heron tp drone can carry missiles ,it was first offered to germany

Interesting, never seen a picture of armed of Armed Heron TP/Eitan

 

[Ind4Ever]

advanced heron tp drone can carry missiles ,it was first offered to germany

But not that powerful than CH5 ? ...

Interesting, never seen a picture of armed of Armed Heron TP/Eitan

Not that fancy ! It's a multi role but not a bomb trucker