Elbit Systems has been awarded a $50 million contract to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned air system (UAS) to an undisclosed customer "in the Americas".

Announcing the success on 3 January, the Israeli company said the Hermes 900s would be supplied to a governmental office and "operated in a variety of perimeter security missions".

Elbit said the project will be completed within about one year, and will also include the provision of ground control stations, Elop DCompass electro-optical/infrared sensors and satellite communications equipment.

Elbit Hermes 900 UAV

 © Elbit Systems

Elad Aharonson, general manager of Elbit's UAS division, noted that the same system has previously been selected for use by the air forces of Israel and Chile. "Hermes 900 is establishing its position as a world-leading UAS for intelligence missions, as well as perimeter and security missions," he said.

Capable of carrying multiple payloads, the Hermes 900 can be flown to an altitude of 30,000ft (9,150m). Operators can employ the same ground station to support operations with the design and Elbit's shorter-range Hermes 450 air vehicle.

Source: Flight International