19 Feb 2008 | Ref. 063/2008
Warton, UK - Fresh from a successful deployment in Afghanistan by the Royal Air Force, one of the world’s first fully autonomous unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) will make its Singapore debut at the 2008 Singapore Air Show.
Developed by BAE Systems, HERTI is one of a new generation of UAS suitable for both military and civil operations
The RAF deployed a HERTI system in Afghanistan in 2007 as part of its unique Project Morrigan collaboration with BAE Systems. Launched in September 2006, Project Morrigan aims to integrate HERTI into UK forces for a short period in order to develop potential tactics, techniques and procedures for integrating UAS into existing joint manned/unmanned force structures.
Hailing HERTI’s success in Afghanistan, Wing Commander Mike Humphreys, Officer Commanding of the RAF’s UAV Battlelab, said: “While the objectives and outputs from the exercise remain classified, the HERTI system has been successful in demonstrating its capability in an operational environment. Both the RAF and BAE Systems are satisfied with the progress and development of the project thus far and we look forward to building on this in the coming months.”
With its ability to take off, complete a full mission and land – all at the click of a computer mouse – HERTI has been designed to meet a wide variety of operational needs, both cost effectively and with extremely high levels of reliability while removing the need for an operator or pilot to control the aircraft from the ground
HERTI is one of a family of UAS being developed by BAE Systems through its Autonomous Systems & Future Capability, Integrated System Technologies and Australian businesses. Through this work, BAE Systems has been able to translate high levels of autonomy into increased operational effectiveness.
The HERTI air vehicle and its unique ground control station is showcased in Singapore in its production configuration. When coupled with BAE Systems’ Imagery Collection & Exploitation (ICE) system, the aircraft offers real potential in the fields of maritime, coastline and border surveillance as well as showing broader potential for areas such as pipeline, plant and infrastructure surveillance, and insurgent detection.
HERTI builds on previous major achievements where BAE Systems has flown six different UAS over the last six years. These included the first, and still the only, fully autonomous flight by a UAS in UK airspace with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) clearance.
Andy Wilson, Business Development Director for Utility UAS at BAE Systems, says: “What we have done in developing HERTI is to produce a platform that is affordable, built to meet operational needs, and which will offer levels of reliability that up until now will have only been available in manned aircraft.
“In Singapore, we will be exhibiting the production configuration vehicle, and the system in which it operates, giving new levels of autonomy and reliability for UAS. Effectively this is the first of the next generation of this kind of vehicle. HERTI has the ability to offer users both in the military and civil environment a range of capabilities up until now simply not accessible because of either cost or reliability issues.”
Mark Kane, Managing Director of Autonomous Systems & Future Capability at BAE Systems, said: “The key to HERTI is that we have developed a capability and task driven system that will deliver high levels of operational performance in a wide range of different roles. Recent trials have given us further confidence that HERTI is uniquely placed to meet customer requirements around the world.”
In Singapore, BAE Systems will be able to demonstrate HERTI’s unique autonomous mission system capability through a fully operational ground station which will replay, in real time, missions carried out during HERTI’s extensive flight test programme. This includes mission planning, vehicle monitoring and sensor exploitation.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006
For further information contact:
Andy Bunce, BAE Systems
Tel: +44- (0)1772-85 2714 Mob: +44-(0)7801 716 448
andy.bunce@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
www.baesystems.com
