Airbus Harfang
Airbus Defence and Space · France · first flew 2006 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Harfang (Snowy Owl) is a French medium-altitude long-endurance UAV developed for the French Air Force based on the Israeli IAI Heron platform, integrated and marketed with European mission systems by EADS (later Airbus).
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French MALE UAV based on Israeli Heron
- Twin-boom tail with pusher propeller
- Operated by French Air Force for ISR missions
Twin-boom high-aspect-ratio monoplane UAV with pusher propeller; closely resembles the Israeli Heron from which it is derived.
Specifications
- The Airbus Harfang has a length of 9.3 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.6 m (54 ft).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Harfang entered French Air Force service around 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan and Mali for operational ISR missions. France selected the Harfang as an interim MALE capability while developing longer-term European UAV solutions.
Variants
The Harfang is essentially a Europeanised Heron; no distinct French sub-variants are publicly documented.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the French Air and Space Force in Afghanistan (ISAF operations) and subsequently in Mali (Operation Serval/Barkhane); later supplemented by the MQ-9 Reaper.
Related aircraft
- EADS ATLANTE
- Boeing X-37A Approach and Landing Test Vehicle
- EADS Barracuda
- Elbit Systems Skylark II
- Hydra Technologies Ehécatl
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