Heron MK II from IAI: MALE UAS with 45 hours' endurance, 490 kilograms of payload and open architecture

The Heron MK II reflects the current state of the art in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It is the latest and most advanced generation of the Heron UAS family from IAI – a series that has been flying with air forces, armies and navies worldwide for more than twenty years.

The Heron MK II carries forward what proved itself in its predecessors and combines it with advanced technologies for today's battlefield and for new operational requirements. A new airframe and new wings aim at the highest possible performance, complemented by advanced avionics and a modern ground control system. Operational capability, efficiency, autonomy: in these three areas the system sets new standards.

Positioned in the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class, the UAS covers a wide variety of mission profiles with its comprehensive range of payloads. Because several payloads are operated simultaneously, real-time intelligence gathering as well as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) over large areas are possible. Special sensors allow reconnaissance from a safe stand-off distance or continuous surveillance of extensive areas.

Maritime patrol radar (MPR), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electronic support measures (ESM) and communications intelligence (COMINT) are among the further payloads the system can carry. With several sensor payloads in use in parallel, the platform combines different intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Also on board: integrated broadband satellite communications as well as line-of-sight data links that operate fully digitally. This makes missions over long distances and over sea, land and mountains possible; because it is possible to switch between the data links, missions can be optimally designed with regard to covertness, security and resilience.

In addition to the live data stream to the ground station, the system has its own servers on board. Large volumes of sensor data – raw or already processed – that accumulate during a mission and are stored on board are thus available for users to access.

Payloads of the Heron family as well as systems and applications contributed by the customer can be integrated flexibly thanks to the open architecture. Flight control and mission management are implemented separately, which facilitates upgrades and keeps the avionics open to further development over the entire life cycle.

Heron MK II: larger airframe, more payload, 160 hp

Compared with its predecessor, the Heron MK II has grown: the fuselage measures 9.7 metres, the wingspan just under 17 metres. This provides more room for internal and external payloads, including underwing stores, without compromising performance. Certification to international as well as military airworthiness standards is also provided for in the system design.

High climb performance and efficient operation at low as well as high altitudes – up to 35,000 feet – are the design goals of the new 160 hp engine. Maximum speed is 145 knots; climb performance is more than 50 per cent higher than that of older systems.

Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is 1,430 kilograms, of which up to 490 kilograms is payload; maximum endurance extends to 45 hours.

Another strength is its resilience in difficult weather: de-icing systems make operations possible even in adverse conditions, for instance over mountains and sea areas. Particular weight is also given to protecting communications, navigation and flight systems against jamming and manipulation attempts: GPS and data links are secured against electronic interference such as cyberattacks. The platform continuously checks its own position and system status so that manipulation or unauthorised intervention is detected.

Ground segment with Unified Control System

The mission is conducted from the Unified Control System (UCS). Its user interface is highly automated – the crew is to be relieved of workload and able to devote itself more to the mission itself than to flying.

The modern mission control centre comprises several displays, HOTAS controls (“Hands-on-Throttle-and-Stick”) and a tablet with touchscreen. All sensor data are processed, correlated and merged into a common interactive situation picture. Taxiing, take-off and landing can be performed autonomously; flight- and mission-critical systems are built with multiple redundancy.

Complete missions are planned and executed via a graphical interface that is map-based and touch-operated. During an ongoing mission, flight plans can be changed, individual areas of interest prioritised or new tasks assigned. Operators can thus concentrate more on mission management, since flight control itself runs largely automatically.

The Heron family has been in service since 1994; more than 22 customers use it, and more than 750,000 flight hours have been accumulated. With the Heron MK II, IAI is advancing the concept above all in terms of range, payload, sensors, networking and autonomy – a new benchmark for advanced MALE UAS.