To highlight the recent announcement that the Heron unmanned aerial vehicle’s (UAV’s) presence in Afghanistan will be extended well into 2014, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has released a video demonstrating its capabilities. Operated by the a detachment at Kandahar Airfield, anecdotally considered one of the busiest airfields in the world, the Heron is set to continue to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to coalition forces in Afghanistan. The Heron will be operated under the direction of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – Regional Command (South). This is an expansion on the Heron’s previous workload, where the UAV only provided support for Australian forces. The decision to extend and expand its role in Afghanistan originated with an ISAF request to the Australian government.

 

IAI Heron UAV

Manufacturer: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)

Role: Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)

Airframe: 27.8 ft

Wingspan: 54.4 ft

Weight: 2425 lbs

Speed: 112 mph

Endurance: 24 hrs

Ceiling: 30,000 ft

Weapons: None