Israel Aerospace Industries announces delivery of the 1st Heron UAV to Canada
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) delivered today the first Heron UAV system to the Canadian Air Force.
IAI and MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) as prime contractor, were recently awarded (August 2008) a contract to deliver IAI’s Heron UAV through MDA to Canadian forces deployed in Afghanistan (NOCTUA project). According to publications the contract is valued at 95 million Canadians Dollars (81 million USD).
The UAV lease for Canada will be completed by the end of 2010, with an option to extend for an additional year.
The platform and equipment are built completely at IAI's facilities in Israel, while management, training, and in-theatre maintenance for the Canadian operators is the responsibility of the Canadian prime contractor MDA.
The Canadian Air Force and Army have been exposed to IAI's abilities in UAV's for some time. Several demonstrations have been made, illustrating the various solutions available to meet Canadian operational demands.
Shortly before the delivery, IAI’s Malat Division hosted the Canadian Defense Attaché in Israel, Col Geordie Elms for a tour of the facilities. During his visit at Malat, Col Elms was shown the most updated line of products Malat Division has to offer, including the Heron UAV.
This is not the first time MDA and IAI have cooperated on a UAV project. Under the "Ardea" project, the Heron was tested for use in civilian missions, and was successfully demonstrated in Alberta, Canada.
The successful cooperation with MDA on the “Ardea” project led to the joint price proposal to the Canadian Air Force for the NOCTUA project.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.