Elbit Systems Hermes 450
Elbit Systems · Israel · first flew 1994 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Elbit Systems Hermes 450 is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed for tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition, and has been widely exported and adapted for multiple national requirements including as the basis for the British Army's Watchkeeper WK450.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.1 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 0 (unmanned) — Israeli MALE surveillance UAV with pusher propeller
- Inverted V-tail and ventral sensor turret are key recognition features
- Operated by Israel, UK (as Watchkeeper basis), and multiple export customers
A high-wing pusher-propeller UAV with a distinctive inverted V-tail, ventral electro-optical/IR sensor ball, and retractable tricycle undercarriage; the inverted V-tail is immediately distinctive.
Specifications
- The Elbit Systems Hermes 450 has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.5 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 176 km/h (109 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Elbit Systems developed the Hermes 450 in the early 1990s, with first flight in 1994. It entered Israeli service and attracted significant export interest. The United Kingdom selected a derivative, the Thales/Elbit Watchkeeper WK450, as its primary tactical UAV, with deliveries beginning in the 2010s. The Hermes 450 has also served in Georgia and other countries.
Variants
The Hermes 450 is the baseline; the WK450 Watchkeeper is the UK-specific derivative with additional sensors and different datalinks; an armed variant carrying lightweight missiles has been demonstrated.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Israel, the United Kingdom (as Watchkeeper), Georgia, and several other export customers; UK Watchkeeper service includes deployments in Afghanistan.
Related aircraft
- Elbit Systems Silver Arrow Sniper
- Elbit Systems Skylark II
- Elbit Hermes 900
- Elbit Systems Hermes 90
- General Atomics MQ-1 Predator
- IAI Harpy
- IAI Heron
- AAI Aerosonde
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