Singapore Airshow 2024 – Hermes 650 Spark: a tactical UAS with MALE performances from Elbit Systems
At the Singapore Airshow Elbit Systems of Israel unveiled the last member of its family of Hermes UASs, the Hermes 650 ™Spark, which has the footprint of a tactical system but provides an endurance of 24 hours, transporting two different payloads
A new UAS will complement the Hermes family, the name of Elbit Systems high-end unmanned flying platforms, the number indicating the airframe maximum take-off weight. The Hermes 650 architecture is pretty different from that of the other Hermes, the new UAS being more similar to a light aircraft, having a straight wing without winglets, a horizontal tailplane with vertical rudder, a forward thermal engine activating a three-blade pulling propeller, and a fixed forward tricycle landing gear.
That said, its performances are however remarkable, the Hermes 650 being capable to operate from short runways, take-off requiring only 200 metres, the aircraft being fitted with auto-taxi and auto-take-off and landing capabilities. The Hermes 650 endurance is up to 24 hours with the full 140 kg fuel load, service ceiling being 22,000 ft while speed range goes from 55 to 120 knots. This wide speed range allows to trim the speed to the mission.
The Hermes 650 can carry 260 kg of payload, including fuel, two main multi-purpose payload bays being available, the forward one capable to carry 70 kg while the rear one can take up to 100 kg. Three hardpoints under each wing add to the flexibility and can be used to carry pods of different types. Typically, a gimbal optronic sensor is carried just behind the front landing gear, which can contain day or thermal sensors, while a second payload such as a radar or ELINT or COMINT electronic warfare systems can be carried in the rear one. The company also promotes its SkEye WAPS™ airborne wide-area persistent surveillance solution. The hardpoints under the wings might well be used for installing missiles and rockets, although the company does not comment on weaponisation issues. Considering endurance, a trade-off can be made between payload and range.
When fitted with line-of-sight communications only its operational range is 300 km, however the Hermes 650 can be fitted with a SATCOM link that allow to fully exploit its endurance. Elbit Systems is proposing advanced on-board electronics providing real-time data analytics, which allows reducing the amount of data to be transmitted to the ground control station. Not only, the use of artificial intelligence-based algorithms for prognosis and health management together with automatic pre-flight inspection and short turnaround ensure maximum availability. The Hermes 650 is compliant with STANAG 4671 and can therefore fly in NATO members countries airspace.
The Hermes 650 is in advanced development flights, and will be ready for serial production one year from now. The new Elbit Systems UAS is already under contract from at least one undisclosed customer.
Photos courtesy J. Roukoz and Elbit Systems
