Morocco Receives Israeli Unmanned Aerial Systems From Fran

2014-01-24

Morocco Receives Israeli Unmanned Aerial Systems From Fran

Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has acquired three Harfang unmanned aerial systems from France. The systems were retired by French Air Force and the delivery was made recently after several years of service in Afghanistan. 

Harfang which deployed with the ‘Armee de’Lair’ in 2008 was delivered by EADS (Now Airbus Defense & Space), under the Eagle l cooperative development with Israel Aerospace Industries [IAI]. 

The drone was based on the Israeli IAI/Malat Heron-I system. 

Morocco and France have long established military cooperation, although in recent years Rabat has aligned closer to the US, procuring a range of new military systems, including F-16C/D Block 52 jet fighters along with the latest air to air and air to ground weaponry, M-1A1 Main Battle Tanks and the Predator drones. 

Morocco is regarded as an important stronghold in West Africa in the effort to push Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM) from its power bases in the Sahara. 

To combat irregular forces in the Sahara, Morocco has developed a significant reconnaissance and strike force, in which drones are becoming an important part. The agreement to transfer drones to Morocco is therefore a manifestation to the level of support the country has among major powers. 

In recent months France has deployed two General Atomics Reaper (MQ-9) unmanned aircraft systems which were delivered from systems originally destined for the US Air Force. France required the US drones to support operations in Africa where it claimed the Harfang was not suitable to support those operations but Harfang has been operating in Mali since 18th January 2013 and have logged over 2000 flight hours operating with 1/33 Belfort UAV Squadron from the Niamey airport in Niger, supporting Operation SERVAL. 

According to media sources, the transfer of the Harfang to the Royal Moroccan Air Force was sealed in the spring of 2013. 

The three drones that remained in French service were transferred with their EO payloads, datalinks and satellite communications, part of which was integrated in France by EADS.


Region:  Asia-Pacific / USA and Canada / Africa / Europe
Contry:  Israel / USA / Morocco / France
Category:  UAV
Company: 


Israel IAI Malat UAV
Name:  Heron 1/Machatz 1   Region:  Middle East    Country:  Israel    Category:  UAV    Company:  IAI Malat   
Heron 1/Machatz 1

Use(s): MALE UAV - surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery adjustment and/or missions based on customer-furnished payloads Manufacturer: IAI Malat Powerplant: 100hp four-cycle, four-cylinder Dimensions: length: 8.5m, wingspan: 16.6m Weight: MTOW: 1,250kg, max payload: 250kg Performance: speed: 120kt, endurance: 40-50hr, ceiling: 30,000ft, range: 300km (LoS) Payload: multi-sensor mission capability, customer-furnished, EL/M 2022 maritime patrol radar, SAR, IAI EO TV/IR and laser, ESM and COMINT payloads Data Link: direct LoS and/or UAV airborne data relay, satcom for BLoS, dual real-time command uplink, single real-time data and video downlink Guidance/Tracking: real-time payload and UAV control, GPS-based interruptible airborne mission controller, full autonomous flight, autonomous return on data link loss or end of mission program; advanced universal UAV mission ground control centre and remote video terminals Launch: automatic, wheeled take-off Recovery: automatic, wheeled landing Status: in service

Israel IAI Malat UAV
Name:  Heron TP   Region:  Middle East    Country:  Israel    Category:  UAV    Company:  IAI Malat   
Heron TP

Use(s): all-weather MALE multi-mission/multi-payload UAV system - surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition and/or missions based on customer-furnished payloads Manufacturer: IAI Malat Powerplant: 1,200hp turboprop Dimensions: length: 14m, wingspan: 26m Weight: MTOW: 4,650kg, max payload: 1,000kg Performance: endurance: 36hr, ceiling: 45,000ft Payload: customer-furnished payloads, E17M 2022 maritime patrol radar, SAR, IAI EO TV/IR and laser, ESM and COMINT payloads Data Link: LoS and satcom Guidance/ Tracking: real-time payload and UAV controls, GPS-based interruptible airborne mission controller, full autonomous flight, autonomous return on data link loss or end of mission programme. Launch and Recovery: wheeled automatic take-off and landing Structure Material: composite GCS: advanced universal UAV mission ground control centre and remote data terminals Status: in service


IAI Unveils Larger, More Powerful UAV at Singapore Airshow

2014-02-12
IAI Unveils Larger, More Powerful UAV at Singapore Airshow
A heavy fuel version of Israel Aerospace Industry’s big-selling Heron UAV literally had the wraps taken off on the opening day of the Singapore Airshow Feb. 11.

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