Elbit Systems last week announced that it was awarded a framework contract to provide maritime Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) patrol services to countries in the European Union via the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
The contract, executed in cooperation with the Center of Engineering and Product Development (CeiiA), a leading engineering company in Portugal, is for a two-year base period and two single year options. If fully realized, the total contract value will be about $68 million.
Under the contract and in cooperation with CEiiA, Elbit Systems will lease and operate its Hermes[TM] 900 Maritime Patrol and its Ground Control Station.
A persistent long-range unmanned maritime surveillance system tailored for littoral and blue water operations, the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol will feature maritime radar, an Electro Optic payload, Satellite Communication and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.
Thus configured, the Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol will enable persistent monitoring of vast swathes of sea and long coastlines and effective identification of suspicious activities and potential hazards.
Elad Aharonson, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR Division, commented: “Having been selected by the European Union authorities is yet another vote of confidence in the Hermes 900 by following additional contract awards for this UAS in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Israel. Extensively deployed, the Hermes 900 family of UAS continuously expands its capabilities introducing the capability to operate in civilian airspace and integrating self-protection suites and stronger payloads.”