Elbit Systems announced a $72 million contract to supply Hermes 900 drones

An Israeli company on November 14 announced the signing of a contract for the production and delivery of Hermes 900 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Here's What We Know

The value of the deal is $72 million. The contract, in addition to the Hermes unmanned aerial systems, also includes the supply of training equipment. Elbit Systems notes that the agreement is signed with an unnamed foreign customer and will run for five years.

The contract involves the delivery of Hermes 900 drones with SkEye Wide Area Persistent Surveillance, Spectro XR multispectral electronic-optical payloads and satellite communications. Yoram Shmuely, CEO of Elbit Systems Aerospace, said the deal is another vote of confidence in the Hermes family of drones.

The Hermes 900 made its maiden flight in December 2009 and entered service two years later. The drone has a wingspan of 15 meters, weighs almost 1,000 kg and can carry a payload of up to 300 kg. The maximum flight altitude is 9.1 km and the duration is more than 30 hours.

Source: Elbit Systems