Australia extends Heron deployment in Afghanistan
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the extension of the contract to provide Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft to Australian troops in Afghanistan to the end of 2012.
The Heron provides aerial support and surveillance in support of Australian and coalition operations in Afghanistan.
Mr Clare said the unmanned aircraft provides high-resolution, real-time surveillance.
“This gives commanders better awareness of what is happening on the ground where troops are deployed,” Mr Clare said.
“The Heron has been in operation since 2009. It’s an important capability – it effectively gives our commanders eyes in the sky.”
The Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel deployed to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan conduct Heron operations in support of Australian troops and our coalition partners.
The contract was first signed with MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates for this capability in 2009.
The Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft is a one tonne aircraft.
It is capable of medium altitude, long endurance flights.
It can conduct operations in excess of 24 hours.
Its maximum speed is more than 100 knots (180 km/h) at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.
Source: Australian Department of Defence
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first]()
Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first
UK flight test sees largest unmanned aircraft take off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut
CATIC have displayed its new AR-2000 drone at Dubai Airshow 2023, emphasising ship-based capabilities with PLA already purchasing.
-
![Australian Triton takes to the skies]()
Australian Triton takes to the skies
Australia has ordered four Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS which can operate as an uncrewed maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) alongside the country’s in-service Boeing P-8A MPA fleet.
-
![Elistair unveils automated tethered observation UAS]()
Elistair unveils automated tethered observation UAS
The Khronos tethered UAS has been designed to be simple to use and has drawn on Elistair’s experience with hundreds of existing customers.
-
![Saildrone to produce USVs in Australia from 2024]()
Saildrone to produce USVs in Australia from 2024
The use of long-duration Uncrewed Surface Vehicles for maritime surveillance and monitoring has become part of the fleet inventory as navies try to reduce the level of effort required to gather intelligence on areas of interest.
-
![Ocius expands Bluebottle USV capabilities]()
Ocius expands Bluebottle USV capabilities
A growing number of uncrewed systems have been on show at Sydney's Indo-Pacific Maritime exhibition with a select few currently being trialled to see if they can enhance the Royal Australian Navy's surveillance levels.
