As part of the further development of the German Heron TP (Turboprop) project, the unmanned aerial vehicle will also be able to be used in Germany in future. To make this possible, it was necessary to amend the existing operator contract with Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS) GmbH. A corresponding amendment was approved by the President of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support on November 15. Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), Annette Lehnigk-Emden.
At the signing ceremony, she said: “We are delighted that we have laid the foundation for the use of the German Heron TP in Germany by amending the operator contract. The system will provide the troops with valuable reconnaissance data in the future and thus contribute to Germany’s security in the context of national and alliance defense as well as information security.” German Heron TP covers the capability domains of reconnaissance and action. Planned as the successor to the Heron 1 system, it will serve as a bridging solution until the introduction of the European MALE RPAS. The system is equipped with sensors that enable the generation of reconnaissance results regardless of weather conditions. In contrast to its predecessor model and also to protect troop movements, the German Heron TP is capable of being armed. The system currently consists of five unmanned aerial vehicles and four ground control stations, which can be used to ensure basic operations for training and exercises as well as possible deployment obligations. The systems will demonstrate their capabilities in Jagel, Schleswig-Holstein, with 300 flight hours during a six-month demonstration operation. An extension of flight operations for a further six months is regulated in the contract, as is the provision and operation of additional hardware.
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