Tel Aviv: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement of cooperation with Romanian defence company IAR-Brasov to manufacture the Israeli company’s Tactical Heron UAV in Romania. Based on the agreement the UAV systems will be manufactured in Brasov, Romania. Furthermore, IAI will establish in Romania an academy to train the system operators and technicians for the UAV systems.
According to IAI,  the Tactical Heron is a UAV designed for tactical battlefield missions, and  mainly serves land forces. The UAV can carry out multiple missions with various payloads and includes the most advanced technologies IAI has to offer. Tactical Heron is part of IAI’s UAV family and the IAI’s extensive, accumulated knowledge in the UAV field acquired over the course of nearly 50 years reflects in its design.
The cooperation agreement builds upon both IAI’s and IAR-Brasov’s vast experience in designing, manufacturing, assembling, and testing in order to develop the most advanced UAV Tactical Heron. Following a transfer of knowledge, the design, production of components and their integration, assembly, and maintenance will all be completed in-house in Romania. From component construction and assembly, to staff training and upgrade and maintenance, Romanian engineers and experts will be leading the development of the UAV.
The Tactical Heron is an industry-leading advanced and innovative tactical UAV, with highly-developed performance capabilities. According to the company, the Heron boasts one of the highest rankings in flight safety and reliability in the world and is able to operate in extreme weather conditions. In addition, it has a state-of-the-art engine, licensed and proven, and reaches a maximal flight altitude of 24,000 feet, a speed of 120 knots and a payload of 180 kilograms. The UAV can simultaneously carry several payloads, and is equipped with IAI’s finest sensors. The Tactical Heron meets the world’s accepted standards and regulations, and the requirements of NATO’s STANAG 4671.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
