Defence

Elbit Systems has received a contract worth around $25 million to supply an undisclosed nation "in the Americas" with its Hermes 450 and Skylark 1 unmanned air vehicle systems. Sources indicate that the recipient will be Mexico.

Announcing the sale on 1 September, Elbit said deliveries will be completed within a year.

The 450kg (990lb) Hermes 450 is a tactical UAV capable of supplying real-time intelligence data to ground forces. The 6.1m (20ft)-long air vehicle has a wingspan of 10.5m and a maximum endurance of over 20h. The UAV is already in service in several nations, including Israel and Singapore, and forms the basis of the UK's future Thales/Elbit-sourced Watchkeeper system. In July Elbit won a $20 million contract to supply systems to an undisclosed new European buyer.

Elbit's man-packable Skylark is intended to support close-range, over-the-hill operations and counter-terrorism missions. Carrying an electro-optical/infrared payload, it has a range of more than 10km (5.4nm). Previously ordered by countries including Australia, Canada and France, the Skylark uses an extremely quiet electric propulsion system and features fully autonomous take-off and landing modes.