Date:
19 February, 2008
Fresh from a successful deployment in Afghanistan by the Royal Air Force, one of the world’s first fully autonomous unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) will make its Singapore debut at the 2008 Singapore Air Show.
Developed by BAE Systems, HERTI is one of a new generation of UAS suitable for both military and civil operations
The RAF deployed a HERTI system in Afghanistan in 2007 as part of its unique Project Morrigan collaboration with BAE Systems. Launched in September 2006, Project Morrigan aims to integrate HERTI into UK forces for a short period in order to develop potential tactics, techniques and procedures for integrating UAS into existing joint manned/unmanned force structures.
Hailing HERTI’s success in Afghanistan, Wing Commander Mike Humphreys, Officer Commanding of the RAF’s UAV Battlelab, said: “While the objectives and outputs from the exercise remain classified, the HERTI system has been successful in demonstrating its capability in an operational environment. Both the RAF and BAE Systems are satisfied with the progress and development of the project thus far and we look forward to building on this in the coming months.”
HERTI is one of a family of UAS being developed by BAE Systems through its Autonomous Systems & Future Capability, Integrated System Technologies and Australian businesses. Through this work, BAE Systems has been able to translate high levels of autonomy into increased operational effectiveness.
The HERTI air vehicle and its unique ground control station is showcased in Singapore in its production configuration. When coupled with BAE Systems’ Imagery Collection & Exploitation (ICE) system, the aircraft, says the company, offers real potential in the fields of maritime, coastline and border surveillance as well as showing broader potential for areas such as pipeline, plant and infrastructure surveillance, and insurgent detection.
HERTI builds on previous major achievements where BAE Systems has flown six different UAS over the last six years. These included the first, and still the only, fully autonomous flight by a UAS in UK airspace with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) clearance.
Andy Wilson, Business Development Director for Utility UAS at BAE Systems, says: “What we have done in developing HERTI is to produce a platform that is affordable, built to meet operational needs, and which will offer levels of reliability that up until now will have only been available in manned aircraft.
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