19 May 2020: Integrating detection and identification capabilities, on-board inflated life-rafts, and precision dispatch capability are some of the latest and unique lifesaving capabilities added by Elbit Systems to its new Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
Due to the latest feature addition, Hermes 900 can now perform long-range maritime Search and Rescue (SaR) missions continuously for over 24 hours in adverse weather conditions day and night.
The Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol is integrated with to four, six-person life-rafts on its wings. It uses the on-board maritime radar to detect survivors. Once detected, the Electro-Optic/Infra-Red payload is deployed which provides a visual identification. Then drop-point is calculated and life rafts are dispatched from an altitude as low as 600 ft. to pin-pointed location at a safe distance from the survivors. Once dispatched the life rafts are gradually inflated.
Watch the complete video of SaR operation being performed by Hermes 9000