Routine Operation in Support of Frontex Missions

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has agreed to the Greek civil aviation authority granting permission for Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) to fly its Heron 1 UAS in Greek airspace in support of marine surveillance and coastal protection operations by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

The UAS flights are carried out in Europe’s civil airspace according to civil flight procedures with no military intervention or control. The UAS are equipped with EO day/night-vision payloads and marine surveillance radars, providing an up-to-date, real-time, accurate intelligence picture. Data is then distributed to decision-makers to assure smooth coordination, planning, and command of the various tasks and assignments.

“Together with our partners at Airbus, we are ready to provide Frontex with the best possible service to help them fulfill their every need. IAI’s Heron has already accumulated over 500,000 operational flying hours globally, with countless successful missions,” commented Moshe Levy, Executive VP&GM, Military Aircraft Group.