Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 15, 2008 - (Page 50) FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 Heron TP Proposed for Strategic ISR Exactly two years ago IAI’s Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) made its maiden flight in Israel. In the past two years the system has made huge progress, with the first aircraft now flying with the Israeli Air Force. As this aircraft reaches full operational capability, the IAF is considering buying a whole squadron of Heron TPs to assume many of the missions currently flown by manned aircraft. IAI developed the Heron TP to address the requirements of the Israeli Air Force and those of a number of other international air forces. Several systems have already been completed and tested, and the entire system is ready for serial production. In Europe, Heron TP is positioned as a strong competitor against the established Predator B and the future advanced UAV from EADS. Heron TP is already endorsed by leading industries in Europe as a recommended platform for major intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Recently IAI and the German Rheinmetall Defence signed a cooperation agreement to pursue opportunities in the German market. This was followed by a group of French and Spanish industries which proposed the Heron TP to fulfill similar roles in the service of their respective countries’ militaries. Israel Aerospace Industries and Rheinmetall Defence announced their cooperation to market the system in Germany. This effort targets the German SAATEG UAV program planned for initial deployment as early as 2010. SAATEG will provide a persistent reconnaissance-gathering platform operating in theater in support of German and NATO-deployed forces. Similar roles are currently performed by Predator Bs operated by the U.S. and British Royal Air Forces operating in Afghanistan. According to the agreement, IAI will provide the UAV system, while Rheinmetall will be responsible for the mission control system, logistic support, and networking and interfacing with other command tro-optical payloads (similar to the current IAF configuration). The plan calls for five UAVs to be procured for an initial capability. So far, the Luftwaffe’s SAATEG plans have been endorsed by General Atomics, teaming with Diehl BGT Defence. The IAI/Rheinmetall Defence team claims that the Heron TP meets all the SAATEG criteria in its current form. Heron TP could evolve as a strong competitor, particularly in Europe, following the support of major companies including Dassault Aviation, Thales and Indra, for the Heron TP platform. The industry team submitted a proposal to the French and Spanish ministries of defense, establishing MALE UAV capability to be developed within the framework of Franco-Spanish cooperation. This capability, to be based on Heron TP platforms, would match the operational needs of both countries and allow the supply to both armed forces of long endurance UAVs for theater surveillance by the end of 2012. —Tamir Eshel Heron has been deployed by IAI. and control systems. The German air force (Luftwaffe) will be operating these systems, under its 51 aerial reconnaissance wing to operate from Jagel Air Base. The unit is expected to operate the Euro Hawk, a Global Hawk derivative d e s i g n e d t o a d d r e s s N AT O ’s Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) requirements. While controlled from Jagel, the unmanned aircraft could be deployed overseas, including Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan, where it will be able to support ISAF operations in theater. Unlike the Euro Hawk focus on SIGINT, SAATEG will focus on imageintelligence (MINT), equipped primarily with high-resolution elec- Embraer Delivers Super Tucanos Embraer has delivered 58 of the 99 Super Tucanos (A-29s) on order from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Twenty-three of the 25-ship Super Tucano order for the Colombian Air Force have been delivered and are being used on counterinsurgency missions against FARC rebels. A Dominican Air Force contract for eight Super Tucanos has been signed and awaits U.S. Congress approval. Meanwhile, the Chilean Air Force wants to acquire 12 aircraft as tactical trainers, with this contract still under negotiation. Separately, Embraer is more than half way through modernizing FAB’s fleet of 46 F-5Ms. The refurbishment program includes structural modification and upgrades of avionics, sensors and armament system capability. Twenty-five aircraft have been delivered and the last deliveries are scheduled for 2009. A modernization process to upgrade Brazil’s 53-ship fleet of AMX attack and reconnaissance aircraft is just starting. The first and second aircraft are already with Embraer for modifications and initial testing—first flight is scheduled for late 2008. Work includes upgrades to avionics, sensors, armament system capability, and fleet standardization. The first delivery is scheduled for 2010 with the last in 2014. “In February we delivered a Super Tucano (U.S. civil registered aircraft) to EP Aviation LLC, an affiliate of Blackwater Worldwide, for training use only,” said Fernando Ikedo, Embraer’s vp for market intelligence, defense and govern- Super Tucanos for security firm Blackwater? ment. “It was ordered before all the nothing linked to Iraq.” recent investigations which we are following To explain some of the confusion surrounding closely. We had Brazilian and U.S. Government U.S. Super Tucano interest Ikedo said, “Last approval for this contract. The contract was for year we received a request for information less than $4.5 million as reported in the press from the U.S. Air Force for eight lightplanes to and specified that the aircraft was required for be used in Iraq. At the moment we are still waittraining purposes entirely within the United ing for an IFP from them. Once (it is) released —Mike Vines States—that was the authorization. There is we will respond.” 50 July 15, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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