Unmanned Takes Command

For years, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) were seen purely as military technology, presumed to have limited potential for integration within civilian and congested airspace. However, today it’s clear that this view is far removed from reality.

After years of diligent efforts, including thorough feasibility tests and meeting the rigorous standards of numerous global regulatory authorities, Elbit Systems has recently unveiled the Hermes 900 “Starliner” model. This pioneering UAS is the world’s first to be authorized for flight on civilian air transport routes.

What advantages does it offer, and what challenges does it tackle? To uncover these insights, we spoke with Ran, Director of Business Development and Marketing in the Aerospace Division at Elbit Systems.

Outperforming Traditional Aerial Platforms

“Picture a scenario where a massive forest fire erupts,” Ran begins, “you aim for immediate clarity on the fire’s direction of spread, without risking lives or firefighters.”

Until recently, he notes, the standard approach was to dispatch a surveillance helicopter for such missions, allowing aerial observers to determine the fire’s spread direction. The primary issue here lies in the limitations of the helicopter platform.

“UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) aren’t bound by many of the restrictions that other aircraft face,” Ran continues. “They can maintain a safe distance from the ground and capture high-quality images from a high altitude. Moreover, there’s absolutely no risk to human personnel, and their loiter time is significantly longer. Whereas a helicopter would need to refuel, a UAV can stay positioned and continue to provide updates.”

This approach now offers a fundamentally different reality in responding to a broad spectrum of natural disasters or homeland security events. Examples include managing avalanches, monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, conducting border surveillance with neighboring countries, and ensuring security at large-scale events.

“Previously, for such missions, security and enforcement agencies depended on human personnel: police officers, firefighters, rescue and relief teams, and so on,” Ran continues. “Operating a surveillance helicopter involved both air and ground crews. UAVs were not permitted near civilian airspace and routes, thus precluding their assistance.”

Over 1,500 Lab Reports

Before the breakthroughs achieved by Elbit Systems, UAVs were barred from civilian and public airspace as they did not satisfy the necessary safety standards applicable to manned passenger planes or surveillance helicopters.

The civilian certification of the Hermes 900 Starliner marks a pivotal moment, paving the way for UAVs to become a staple in global surveillance, monitoring, and rescue efforts. “UAVs were restricted to military airspace or areas specifically designated for their use. Our model is the pioneer in obtaining the necessary approvals, setting a positive precedent for other platforms aiming for similar certifications,” Ran elucidates.

To secure civilian certification, Elbit Systems’ UAV was subjected to extensive testing, akin to the procedures for regular passenger aircraft, and it was outfitted with dual safety systems.

“Given the absence of an onboard crew to manage malfunctions,” Ran further clarifies, “we implemented systems designed for its safe descent using parachutes, thereby significantly reducing any potential risk to civilians or property on the ground in the event of an incident.”

In order to comply with over 350 different aviation regulations, the Hermes 900 Starliner had to undergo 40 lab tests worldwide, with Elbit Systems engineers adding 146 safety units and additional systems and processing over 1,500 various lab reports. “These are staggering numbers,” he asserts.

Broadening the Horizon

The Hermes 900 Starliner marks a significant breakthrough in incorporating UAV technology into homeland security tasks. “We were pioneers in the UAV licensing process, learning alongside regulatory bodies,” Ran details. “This shared journey was enlightening. For future endeavors in this field, the process should be notably more straightforward.”

The versatile applications of UAVs, coupled with their advanced technological features, could result in considerable savings of human lives and a significant reduction in the strain on rescue and emergency services in the future.

In closing, Ran observes that the wider adoption of the Hermes 900 Starliner will pave the way for continuous improvements in subsequent technologies. “The adaptability and broad utility of UAV technologies are set to further widen their scope of use.”

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