Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Also Known As : H-450, Kochav 450, Watchkeeper (UK MoD contract), Watchkeeper X, WK450
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Elbit Systems
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1998
Total Production : ?
Unitary Cost : USD $60 million

The Hermes 450 is a tactical long endurance air surveillance and target acquisition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Hermes 450 is a member of Hermes family of unmanned aerial systems. It provides real-time electro-optic and electronic battlefield intelligence data. Enhanced and fully redundant avionics have been provided to this aircraft as well as fully autonomous flight patter with in-flight redirection.

The Watchkeeper is a long endurance airborne surveillance system designed to operate in all weather conditions by day and by night. It is based upon Hermes UAV family and will deliver both radar and optical high-resolution imagery to UK commanders. Elbit Systems' Hermes 450, designated WK450 for the Watchkeeper program, can stay on station for more than 16 hours.

Moreover, Watchkeeper program will contribute to Network Enabled Capability through a fleet of WK450 UAVs equipped with day/night sensors and laser designators connected via data link to a network of Ground Control Stations . The UK MoD gave green light to the project in July 2005 with a planned entry into service date for 2010. The entire program has been valued at £700 million. As of 2022, the program value is £1.2 billion.

Group : Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles
Status : Active
Also Known As : Kochav 180
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Elbit Systems
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2000
Total Production : ?

The Hermes 180 is a tactical air surveillance and target acquisition Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) at shorter ranges than Hermes 450. Hermes 180 is a member of Hermes family of unmanned aerial systems. It provides real-time electro-optic and electronic battlefield intelligence data. Enhanced and fully redundant avionics have been provided to this aircraft as well as fully autonomous flight patter with in-flight redirection.

Hermes 180 is a smaller and lighter version of Hermes 450 well suited for brigade to division Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) applications at tactical close-range. It requires minimum logistics support. It is launched either by catapult or runway and recovered by parachute, airbag and/or runway. The entire Hermes UAV family shares a common Ground Control Station, data link and avionics.

Group : Surveillance & Reconnaissance Airplanes
Status : Active
Also Known As : Hermes 900 HFE, Hermes 900 StarLiner, Kochav 900, Star
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Elbit Systems
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : November 2015
First Flight : 2010
Total Production : 120
Unitary Cost : USD $16.0 million

The Hermes 900 is a further member of the Hermes Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) family developed by Elbit Systems based on the proven Hermes 450. The Hermes 900 is an all weather UAV intended for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. It features longer endurance, longer range and higher flight altitude as well as increased multi-payload capacity using the same existing mission and support infrastructures available for the Hermes UAV family. The new aircraft incorporates Internal Auto Takeoff and Landing (IATOL) for instrumented and non-instrumented runways. The aircraft inherits the full redundancy and fault tolerant avionics and electronic architecture provided to Hermes 450.

The multi-payload capacity available for Hermes 900 encompasses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)/Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) or a mix of Electro-Optical (EO), laser and Infrared (IR) sensors and spotters. Moreover, the aircraft can accommodate payloads to perform Communications Intelligence (COMINT), electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW). Its standard avionics equipment includes built-in autonomous emergency procedures, ATC (Air Traffic Control) radio, radio relay, and IFF transponder.

Elbit Systems' Universal Ground Control Station (UGCS) can control up to two Hermes 900s at the same time while a single operator takes care of the air vehicle and its payload. Communications between the air vehicle and UGCS can be done via secure, redundant line-of-sight data-link or beyond line-of-sight satellite communications. Due to its design and its lowest number of operations and maintenance crew requirements, the Hermes 900 UAV is a low life-cycle cost system.

Group : Surveillance & Reconnaissance Airplanes
Status : Under Development
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Elbit Systems
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2025
First Flight : February 2024
Total Production : ?

The Hermes 650 Spark is a new tactical unmanned aircraft system of the Hermes family featuring operational flight envelope with next-generation multi-mission capability, versatility, and survivability. The new Hermes 650 Spark medium altitude, long endurance aircraft was unveiled in February 2024.