Nankeen

The RAAF enters the UAV era with Heron lease

After a rapid 8 month project lead up, the Defence commenced operations with its new Israeli Aircraft Industries Heron I unmanned aerial system in Afghanistan in January.

The project represents the first time the RAAF has operated an unmanned aerial vehicle in other than a trial, and is the third such system being operated in Afghanistan by the ADF after the hand launched Skylark and catapult launched tactical ScanEagle, both of which are operated by Army.