Brazilian Air Force Acquires New Hermes RQ-900 Surveillance Drone after Crash.

On September 24, 2024, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced the purchase of a new Elbit Hermes 900 (RQ-900) drone to replace the one lost in May during a rescue mission in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This acquisition, made official in the Official Gazette of the Union on September 10 through Contract Extract No. 50/2024, amounts to 50 million reais, approximately 9 million US dollars.

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Ebit System Hermes RQ-900 Surveillance Drone (Picture source: Wikimedia)

The agreement was signed between the São Paulo Aeronautical Material Park (PAMA-SP), responsible for maintaining various military aircraft, and AEL Sistemas, the Brazilian subsidiary of Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems. The purchase was made without a public tender, in accordance with Brazilian public procurement law, to ensure logistical standardization of the armed forces' equipment.

The drone lost in May 2024 belonged to the First Squadron of the Twelfth Aviation Group (1º/12º GAv) of the FAB, based at Santa Maria Air Base (BASM). The aircraft was on an aerial surveillance mission to support rescue operations for flood victims in southern Brazil when it suffered a technical failure and crashed. The drone, an Hermes RQ-900 model, is known for its medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) flight capabilities, allowing it to monitor large areas for extended periods.

The acquisition of the new drone was justified by the need to maintain uniformity in the Brazilian armed forces' equipment. The Elbit Hermes 900 drone, already widely used by the FAB, is a crucial component of Brazil’s aerial surveillance and rapid response strategy, as demonstrated by its use during recent natural disasters.

The FAB is not the only branch of the Brazilian military using drones in its operations. The Brazilian Army and Navy also operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various strategic purposes. These initiatives include the Army Aviation Program, the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON), and the Full Operational Capability Acquisition Program (OCOP), which foresee increased use of drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and border security.

Drones such as the Hermes RQ-900 have proven useful not only in traditional military operations but also in disaster relief missions, as seen during the devastating floods in Brazil. The RQ-900 model is capable of flying at medium altitudes for over 30 hours, providing real-time imagery to ground teams and enabling better coordination of rescue efforts.

The Hermes RQ-900 drone boasts impressive technical specifications, making it a top-tier surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Designed to be operated by a two-person ground crew, it can carry a payload of 450 kg, offering considerable flexibility for sensors, communication equipment, or weaponry. With a length of 8.3 meters and a wingspan of 15 meters, the aircraft has a gross weight of 1,100 kg, powered by a Rotax 916 engine producing 160 kW (210 hp), allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 220 km/h. In terms of endurance, it can remain airborne for up to 36 hours at a maximum altitude of 9,100 meters, providing extended coverage for long-duration missions. Additionally, it is compatible with weapons systems such as the Spike missile, enhancing its role not only in surveillance but also in targeted strike operations.

The Hermes 900 is equipped to carry up to four six-person life-rafts, mounted on its wings. Using its onboard maritime radar, the UAS detects survivors in distress. Upon identification, the UAS deploys its Electro-Optic/Infra-Red (EO/IR) payload for visual confirmation. A rapid calculation of the optimal drop point is then performed, allowing the UAS to release the life-rafts from a low altitude of 600 feet, delivering them precisely at a safe distance from the survivors. The life-rafts undergo a controlled inflation process upon release, which is completed when they reach the water.

The Hermes 900 is a next-generation multi-role MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance) UAS, developed by Elbit Systems. It is designed for over-the-horizon, persistent multi-mission operations and boasts a best-in-class payload capacity of 350 kg. The Hermes 900 is suitable for missions such as area dominance and persistent ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance), as well as ground support, maritime patrol, and integrated multi-platform, multi-sensor operations.

With its cutting-edge, flexible payload configurations, the Hermes 900 is capable of carrying a range of systems, including standard and long-range EO/IR/laser, SAR/GMTI & MPR, COMINT/DF, COMINT GSM, COMMJAM, ELINT, EW, hyperspectral systems, large area scanning systems, and wide-area persistent surveillance payloads.

Mission management is handled with a high degree of autonomy via the Hermes Ground Control System (GCS), which can coordinate both Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 operations simultaneously. The system supports two concurrent missions from a single GCS using two ground data terminals (GDTs). The Hermes 900 has been adopted by the IDF and various international customers, positioning it as a leading MALE UAS.