DSEI 2023: IAI and 2Excel Aviation partner for UK drone operations.

On September 13, 2023, at the DSEI 2023 event in London, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and 2Excel Aviation announced a collaborative agreement aimed at advancing the deployment of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) in the United Kingdom. The partnership's initial focus will be expanding 2Excel Aviation's existing regulatory approvals for uncrewed operations, utilizing IAI's maritime version of the Heron drone.
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IAI and 2Excel Meeting at DSEI 2023 (Picture source: IAI )

Both companies recently conducted successful demonstrations of the Heron drone at West Wales Airport in Aberporth, Wales. These demonstrations, attended by UK government officials and civil aviation experts, showcased the drone's capability to operate as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform within the UK's existing regulatory framework. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) responded favorably to the demonstrations, indicating a positive outlook for future uncrewed operations in the country.

The Heron drone has accumulated over 500,000 hours of global operations. Equipped with an array of advanced sensors, cameras, and communication tools, the drone is versatile and capable of fulfilling various roles such as search and rescue, border surveillance, fisheries monitoring, and maritime safety.

Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI stated, "Our partnership with 2Excel Aviation aims to leverage the combined strengths of both companies in manned and unmanned operations. This collaboration will focus on meeting the UK's maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) needs. We are optimistic that our combined expertise will expedite compliance with CAA regulations and pave the way for Heron's operations in the UK."

Andy Offer, Co-Founder and Director of 2Excel Aviation added, "Our initial demonstrations have already shown that the Maritime Heron can operate effectively in restricted UK airspace. This new agreement will allow us to further develop these capabilities in real-world conditions. Rapid technological advancements are opening new avenues for generating actionable intelligence, which could be invaluable for a diverse set of clients."

What is certain is that since the conflict in Ukraine, drones have gained prominence, and it's not surprising to see a new collaboration emerging in the sector. The key question now is what this collaboration will bring to the UK drone systems.