IAI Heron TP

The IAI Heron TP is a long-range, multi-role MALE unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. As the larger and higher-payload member of the Heron family, it is designed for strategic intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions.

Heron TP uses a modular mission-payload architecture that allows different sensors and communication systems to be integrated on the same platform. Electro-optical and thermal cameras provide visual reconnaissance, while SAR, GMTI and maritime-surveillance radars support the tracking of land and maritime targets. COMINT, ELINT and SIGINT payloads extend its signals-intelligence capabilities.

The platform can operate at long distances from its base using SATCOM and beyond-line-of-sight communications exceeding 1,000 kilometres. Triple-redundant avionics, an automatic taxi-takeoff-landing system and STANAG 4671 compatibility support the Heron TP’s reliability, safety and operational flexibility.

Heron TP can support long-range reconnaissance, border and maritime surveillance, persistent target monitoring and extended ISTAR missions. According to the Plarok database, it has a maximum speed of 220 knots, an endurance of 30 hours, a service ceiling of 45,000 feet and a payload capacity of 2,700 kilograms. Its 1,200-horsepower PT6 turboprop engine provides propulsion for this mission profile.