Elbit's second Hermes 900 poised to enter flight test

Elbit Systems' second prototype Hermes 900 unmanned air vehicle will soon enter flight testing, while its first example has already accumulated more than 350 flight hours.

Elbit was awarded a launch contract in February 2010 to supply a "small number" of its new design for evaluation by the Israeli armed forces, which already operate the smaller Hermes 450 air vehicle.

The Hermes 900 has a wingspan of 15m (49.2ft), is 8.3m long and has a maximum take-off weight of 1,100kg (2,420lb), including a 300kg payload. The UAV can be flown to an altitude of more than 30,000ft, and has an automatic take-off and landing capability.

Read more