Israel has formed a new unit of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the aim of improving interaction between combat brigades and their supporting artillery. This new unit is equipped with Hermes 450 UAVs, which are operated by soldiers trained to act as a very effective communication element between ground units, especially infantry, as well as any artillery units operating within the range of the drones. The purpose of all this is to reduce the time between the initial observation of the target and its destruction by shells or missiles. Tests have shown that UAV operators assigned to infantry and artillery units, as well as those familiar with the order of their service, are able not only to identify potential targets and promptly call artillery fire, but also to confirm those targets that the infantry is trying to destroy and provide fire on these targets. within minutes. In the past, the infantry could call in artillery fire on targets they observe, but over the past decade, the infantry has acquired their own small drones, which are often able to spot targets beyond the line of sight of gunners. In the case when the artillery gunner literally did not look over the shoulder of the UAV operator, he was not able to confirm the target and cause fire. After testing several alternatives, the decision was made that Hermes 450 drones, operated by operators trained to call in fire and have communication with infantry and artillery units at the same time, was the best solution. Artillery UAV operators can also share observational information with commanders of adjacent infantry units to confirm a target when the target is only visible from the air.
Artillery UAVs are just the latest Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle applications. For example, in 2014 Israel replaced the last of its AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters with armed UAVs (Hermes 450). Initially, there was a plan to replace the AH-1 Cobra combat helicopters with the AH-64 Apache combat helicopters, of which 44 are already in service in Israel, but even the Apaches faced competition from the UAV, and it was decided that replacing the AH-1 Cobra with UAVs will be more affordable and efficient.
Israel currently has a fleet of more than 70 large (more than a quarter of a ton) UAVs. Israel, along with the United States, is the main user of large (Predator-sized) UAVs on the planet, mainly regularly using drones for border security and counter-terrorism operations. The decision on artillery UAVs and Cobras further expands the use of UAVs.
The most common large UAVs in service with Israel are Heron, Hermes and Surcher. The Hermes 450 is the primary UAV in the Israeli Armed Forces. Twenty or even more of these drones were simultaneously deployed daily during the 2006 war in Lebanon. The experience of combat use led to the expansion of the Hermes fleet. The Hermes 450 is a 450 kg aircraft with a payload of 150 kg. It can also carry Helfire missiles, has a length of 6.5 meters and a wingspan of 11.3 meters. It is capable of staying in the air for up to 20 hours per flight and flying at an altitude of 6500 meters. The Hermes 900 UAV is similar in size (and appearance) to the American Predator (both weigh 1.1 tons), but the Israeli drone is designed primarily for longer flight times. Its wingspan is 15 meters. The Hermes 900 can remain airborne for 36 hours and carries a payload of 300 kg. Searcher 2 is a half-tonne drone with a flight duration of 20 hours, a maximum flight altitude of 7,500 meters, and a range of up to 300 kilometers from the operator. It is capable of carrying up to 120 kg of payload.
The Heron I is a 1, 45-ton aircraft similar to the American MQ-1 Predator UAV. Israel also has at its disposal several UAVs (apparently less than six) of an especially large range. These Heron TP UAVs are 4.6-ton aircraft capable of operating at an altitude of 14,000 meters. This is higher than the echelons of commercial air travel, as air traffic regulations severely restrict and often prohibit the use of UAVs at the same altitude as commercial aircraft. Heron TP carries a payload weighing one ton, which allows it to be placed on sensors capable, despite the high flight altitude, to give a detailed picture of what is happening on the ground. The flight duration of 36 hours makes the Heron TP a competitor to the American Q-9 Reaper. Heron TP is used for long-range missions, most of which are not discussed in the media.
In the past few years, infantry units have adopted the 7 kg Sky Rider UAV. A battery-powered drone can only remain airborne for one hour per flight. It was originally planned to equip the artillery with Sky Riders, but field trials have shown that the Hermes 450 with a longer flight duration is a more practical choice. Israel successfully exports most of these UAVs, mainly because they have all been tested in battle.
