Use of Unmanned Assets a Powerful Problem-Solver

The Canadian government has selected Elbit Systems’ HERMES STARLINER UAS to support maritime environmental protection missions in the Arctic and along the Canadian coasts, as part of the Canadian National Aerial Surveillance Program. 

Fully certified to operate in civilian airspace, the UAS will take-off and land at civil airfields to conduct a wide range of operations to reduce harmful environmental impact, including pollution detection, ice patrol and reconnaissance, wildlife survey and fisheries patrol, among others.  

“Canada is committed to protecting our endangered species and our marine environment. Integrating remotely piloted aircraft into our fleet will make our surveillance operations more robust than ever.  The National Aerial Surveillance Program also helps with search and rescue, humanitarian efforts, illegal fishing enforcement, and the development and regulation of Canada’s drone industry,” commented Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau.

Adverse weather conditions and short endurance degrade the search and surveillance capabilities of manned aircraft, often preventing them from executing their missions. Deploying the HERMES STARLINER will enable Transport Canada to maintain persistent surveillance over vast bodies of water and long coastlines. Capable of continuous flight, the UAS can operate in adverse weather conditions in both day and night, improving mission effectiveness and increasing the number of missions that can be safely executed.

A 1.6t medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAS that includes a range of commercial aviation capabilities qualifying it to be safely integrated into civilian airspace, the HERMES STARLINER features detect and avoid systems, redundant data-links, a terrain avoidance warning system, automatic take-off and landing capabilities in near-zero visibility, de-icing and direct lightning strike sustainment capabilities, as well as a powerful heavy fuel engine.