| The Heron TP MALE also nammed Eitan in Israel, is a variant of Heron Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). Heron TP is an advanced, multi-purpose MALE UAS with an extended performance envelope and a variety of payloads capability. The Heron TP was designed as a multi-purpose, multi-system platform to address local and international customers' needs and to perform a variety of strategic missions with a high level of reliability. In April 2004, the Israeli Air Force magazine announced the existence of the programme and reported that two prototypes were already flying. In March the following year, US company Aurora Flight Sciences announced a joint venture to market the aircraft under the name Orion. Aurora hoped to have a machine flying during 2007, but by the middle of that year, the company had not released anything further about the project. Meanwhile reports emerged of a "first flight" for the Eitan in Israel on 15 July 2006, despite the previous reports that the aircraft had already been flying two years previously. The Heron TP was publicly unveiled at a media event at Tel Nof Airbase on 8 October 2007. One report stated that Israel deployed Eitans in its alleged 2009 airstrike against a Gaza-bound Iranian arms convoy traveling through Sudan. In February 2010 the Israeli Air Force unveiled its new fleet of Eitans. The first unit to operate the type, 210 Squadron, was inaugurated at Tel Nof in December 2010. In February 2019, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has agreed with India’s Ministry of Defense the sale of 50 Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for 500 million U.S. dollars. |
| Design | | As medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAV,the HERON TP can operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic and features all-weather capability, de-icing systems, automatic takeoff and landing (ATOL) systems, and triple-redundant avionics. It is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with wings of high aspect ratio. Booms extend rearward from the wings and carry twin tails that are joined by a common horizontal stabiliser. The main units of the tricycle undercarriage retract into the tail booms, and the nosewheel retracts into the fuselage. A single turboprop engine is mounted in the rear fuselage, driving a pusher propeller. Construction throughout is of composite materials.
| | Mobility | | The Heron TP MALE is powered by a turboprop engine developing 1,200-hp of power. The new engine allows the UAV to achieve an operational ceiling of 45,000-ft carrying maximum payload which stands above the commercial aviation traffic. | | Accessories | | A data link provides line-of-sight communications while optionally Satellite Communications (SATCOM) may enable operations beyond line-of-sight (BLOS). The Heron TP MALE can be equipped with Electro-Optical (IR/TV) sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Multi-Purpose Radar.
| | Combat use | | The Heron TP MALE can loiter for 36 hours carrying a 1,000 kg sensor package in its spacious payload compartment. The variety of sensors can operate simultaneously with multiple configurations. Heron TP is suitable for all weather conditions and features autonomic take off and landing (ATOL) with maximum safety, retractable landing gear, triple fully redundant avionics as well as easy, safe and reliable operation.
The HERON TP main features and capabilities are:
- Multi mission platform with multiple operational configurations
- Large internal volume for a variety of payloads
- Simultaneous and flexible operation of payloads
- All weather capability
- Operation above commercial traffic
- Satellite communication for extended range (SATCOM)
- Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety
- Triple, fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics
- Retractable landing gear
- Safe, reliable and easy operation | | | | Specifications | | Back to top | | Type | | Medium altitude long endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle | | Country users | | Israel, India | | Designer Country | | Israel
| | Accessories | | Electro-optical sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Communications Intelligence, Multi-purpose radar | | Operators | | ? | | | Engine | | 1,200 hp Turbo Engine
a | | Weight | | 4,650 kg | | Altitude | | 45,000 fts | | Endurance | | 36 hr
a
| | Dimensions | | Length, 14 m; Wingspan, 26 m | | | | | |