UAV Profile: Elbit Systems Hermes 450

The Elbit Systems Hermes 450 is a high wing monoplane with single pusher propeller in service or on order by at least five nations.

History

Initial demonstrators first flew in the mid 1990s with the Hermes 450S version – S designating single engine - selected by the Israeli Defence Forces in July 1997 and entering service in 2000.

The twin engine Hermes 450 has been flying since at least 2000 and was trialled by the US Armed Forces Joint UAV test and evaluation programme in mid 2003.

The 450 was selected by the UK Ministry of Defence in July 2004 as the basis of its Watchkeeper UAV programme with this giving rise to the 450B configuration.

The final configuration of this later version, also known as the W450, was unveiled in mid 2007 , also known as W450 with the derivative most clearly distinguished by its removal of the wing pylon and a subsequent lowering of the wing height.