DTN News: The IDF Expands its Elbit Systems UAS Fleet ~ Elbit Systems

Defense News: DTN News: The IDF Expands its Elbit Systems UAS Fleet ~ Elbit Systems Awarded $50 Million UAS Contract by the Israeli Defense Ministry
*Elbit to supply the IDF with its Hermes(R) 900 UAS Systems, along with additional Hermes(R) 450 UAS Systems and an enhancement of the existing UAS intelligence capabilities
Source: DTN News / Elbit Systems Ltd.
(NSI News Source Info) HAIFA, Israel - May 3, 2010: Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:ESLT - News) announced today that it was awarded an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) contract from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, valued at approximately $50 million. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will supply the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) with its brand new Hermes® 900 unmanned systems along with additional Hermes® 450 unmanned systems to expand the IDF's current Hermes® 450 fleet. In addition, the Company will supply the IDF with an enhancement of its existing UAS intelligence capabilities. The contract will be carried out over a three-year period.
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With enhanced endurance, the Hermes® 900 allows flight altitude of more than 30,000 ft, large payload capacity and flight capabilities in adverse weather conditions. The Hermes® 900 is based on the highly reliable and combat proven Hermes® 450 UAS, which has accumulated over 170,000 flight hours.
The new Hermes® 900 allows seamless integration with the IDF's existing Hermes® 450 UAS thanks to its universal command & control ground station (UGCS), which enables advanced mission management, automatic taxiing, autonomous flight and automatic takeoff and landing systems common to all the UAS in the Hermes® family. These advantages allow all Hermes® 450 operators to immediately integrate the Hermes® 900 into the existing UAS fleet, using the current infrastructure.
Joseph Ackerman, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: "We are proud to have been selected by the Israeli Ministry of Defense in this UAS project, attesting to the IDF's high level of satisfaction with the performance of our UAS. By introducing the Hermes® 900 into our growing UAS portfolio, we continue to provide the IDF with effective solutions for its varying operational needs, ranging from the mini-UAS Skylark® I-LE operated by the Israeli Ground Forces, through the Hermes® 450 which plays a central role in the IDF's anti-terror efforts, to our brand new Hermes® 900." Ackerman added, "The IMOD's recent order furthers our position as a world leader in the UAS field, and we trust that many customers will follow the IDF's selection of the Hermes® 900, the newest addition to the Elbit Systems UAS portfolio."
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data links and military communications systems and radios. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms, developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications and providing a range of support services.
For additional information, visit: http://www.elbitsystems.com/.