Frontex picks Heron for maritime surveillance role

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has awarded a framework contract to Airbus Defence and Space Airborne Solutions (ADAS) and its long-term partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to operate a MALE RPAS for maritime aerial surveillance services.

This contract, worth an undisclosed amount, was awarded following multiple successful trials in recent years, ADAS noted on 20 October.

Missions with a special version of the IAI Heron MALE UAS, equipped with EO/IR sensors and an IAI-made maritime patrol radar, will be flown from Greece, Italy or Malta (or all three countries).

The maritime surveillance service includes the provision of a RPAS platform, payload, communication equipment and capacity, mission storage and operational support.

Airbus and IAI will provide the service for pre-planned assignments as well as for ad hoc calls.

Heron will use a direct link when flying within LoS, changing to a satellite link when operating BLoS to transmit real-time information or when flying at low altitude over sea. Information is being transmitted to the Frontex C2 centre as well as to relevant coast guard centres.

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.