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As part of their participation in the multinational peacekeeping force in Afghanistan, the Australians have deployed Heron 1 UASs (unmanned aerial systems). Reportedly, the local Australian UAS outfit recently returned home before another tour of duty.
The Australian Air Force recently received an offer from an Israeli company to sell Australia the Heron TP UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).
The Heron TP is a 5.3-ton (11,600-pound) aircraft, capable of carrying a payload of up to one ton. It is currently in service with the Israeli Air Force.
The developer and manufacturer, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), is currently developing an aerial refueling systems for the Heron TP. The development program is based on an unmanned “aerial tanker” that will be capable of refueling a Heron-TP while the latter is in the air, carrying payloads and sensors.
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The Heron TP UAV has a max speed of 130 MPH and an endurance of 50 hours. The aerial refueling will enable the large UAS to stay in the “area of interest” for longer missions. This has unfolded an operational requirement in many military tasks.
Any export of the Heron-TP will have to be cleared not only by Israel’s Ministry of Defense (MoD), but also per the limitations of missile technology control regime (MTCR). This is despite the fact that Israel has not signed the agreement. Nevertheless, Israeli does adhere to its limitations. It should be noted that Australia is a member of the MTCR.
The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles, and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogram payload at least 300 kilometers, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Last year, IAI offered the Heron TP to France and Germany because they are partners in the MTCR. Nevertheless, the IAI could not offer the big very advanced UAS to countries that are not MTCR partners.
