IAF Completes Testing of the Hermes 900 UAV
The IAF Flight Test Squadron has completed a series of integration tests on the Elbit Systems Hermes 900 UAV, which will soon be declared operational
IsraelDefense
| 21/08/2017
Hermes 900 UAV (Photo: IAF)
Three years after taking off for its first operational mission during Operation Protective Edge, the Hermes 900 UAV (IAF designation Kochav, Hebrew for 'star') will soon be declared operational by the Israeli Air Force. Upon its integration, the "Kochav" was declared temporarily operational, and the official announcement of its operational capability is soon to be made, following months of testing performed by the Flight Test Squadron.
The IAF website reports that the comprehensive series of tests were conducted from the UAV Squadron at Palmahim AFB, which operates the platform among others, and included an examination of all of the aircraft’s systems and capabilities.
The purpose of the integration tests was to examine the platform and test its qualification for the IAF’s operational requirements. "In the past, this process was performed on all platforms besides the unmanned ones. The 'Kochav' is the first UAV whose entire test series was conducted by the Flight Test Squadron," said Maj. Eran, the Flight Test Operator from the FTS. "Until the 'Kochav,' UAVs began operational service immediately after the completion of manufacturer testing or underwent a minimal integration test, after which the operational squadrons would integrate them in a long assimilation process."
While the tests were performed, the squadron gradually received the ability to fly the Hermes 900. That is to say, each capability tested and approved for use by the FTS was passed on to the operational squadron for evaluation flights which qualified the operators to perform various missions before declaring the platform operational. "Because there are many capabilities and the risk levels rise in accordance, we are conducting a gradual process of risk management in which we first test the basic capabilities and later, the complex missions. Simultaneously, the squadron becomes qualified. This method makes the assimilation and training process much more comfortable and simple. Instead of having the squadron wait for the completion of the integration tests, the development and operational channels work simultaneously."
The test series included over twenty sorties, keeping in mind that each "Kochav" sortie can last long hours and include testing of various systems. The tests examined all the aspects of the "Kochav" – from the most basic flight capabilities, through piloting quality, to testing every mission the aircraft is capable of performing and the combinations of all three.
The integration tests might have been managed by the Flight Test Squadron, but unlike other platforms, they were conducted from the operational squadron at Palmahim AFB. "When I'm required to examine a certain system, I use the squadron’s aircraft, I am assisted by a crew from the squadron and I enter the mission station with it," explained Maj. Eran. "The FTS takes the system to its edge and performs sorties that the operators in the squadron would probably not perform routinely. Nonetheless, the operators in the squadron have more flight hours on the 'Kochav' and can notice certain details that were not reflected in the test sorties we performed. They share these issues with us, and we examine them in the next test."
"The 'Kochav' becoming operational will be a quantum leap for the UAV division," stated Maj. Eran. "The 'Kochav' has a wide range of capabilities that will allow us to go higher, farther and faster."
The Hermes 900 has a high carrying capacity and is built to carry payloads on a number of locations on its wings. Its endurance capability allows the performance of very long missions at long ranges. "We may have completed the integration tests, but the learning and development process is far from being over," he emphasized.
The IAF Flight Test Squadron has completed a series of integration tests on the Elbit Systems Hermes 900 UAV, which will soon be declared operational
Hermes 900 UAV (Photo: IAF)
Three years after taking off for its first operational mission during Operation Protective Edge, the Hermes 900 UAV (IAF designation Kochav, Hebrew for 'star') will soon be declared operational by the Israeli Air Force. Upon its integration, the "Kochav" was declared temporarily operational, and the official announcement of its operational capability is soon to be made, following months of testing performed by the Flight Test Squadron.
The IAF website reports that the comprehensive series of tests were conducted from the UAV Squadron at Palmahim AFB, which operates the platform among others, and included an examination of all of the aircraft’s systems and capabilities.
The purpose of the integration tests was to examine the platform and test its qualification for the IAF’s operational requirements. "In the past, this process was performed on all platforms besides the unmanned ones. The 'Kochav' is the first UAV whose entire test series was conducted by the Flight Test Squadron," said Maj. Eran, the Flight Test Operator from the FTS. "Until the 'Kochav,' UAVs began operational service immediately after the completion of manufacturer testing or underwent a minimal integration test, after which the operational squadrons would integrate them in a long assimilation process."
While the tests were performed, the squadron gradually received the ability to fly the Hermes 900. That is to say, each capability tested and approved for use by the FTS was passed on to the operational squadron for evaluation flights which qualified the operators to perform various missions before declaring the platform operational. "Because there are many capabilities and the risk levels rise in accordance, we are conducting a gradual process of risk management in which we first test the basic capabilities and later, the complex missions. Simultaneously, the squadron becomes qualified. This method makes the assimilation and training process much more comfortable and simple. Instead of having the squadron wait for the completion of the integration tests, the development and operational channels work simultaneously."
The test series included over twenty sorties, keeping in mind that each "Kochav" sortie can last long hours and include testing of various systems. The tests examined all the aspects of the "Kochav" – from the most basic flight capabilities, through piloting quality, to testing every mission the aircraft is capable of performing and the combinations of all three.
The integration tests might have been managed by the Flight Test Squadron, but unlike other platforms, they were conducted from the operational squadron at Palmahim AFB. "When I'm required to examine a certain system, I use the squadron’s aircraft, I am assisted by a crew from the squadron and I enter the mission station with it," explained Maj. Eran. "The FTS takes the system to its edge and performs sorties that the operators in the squadron would probably not perform routinely. Nonetheless, the operators in the squadron have more flight hours on the 'Kochav' and can notice certain details that were not reflected in the test sorties we performed. They share these issues with us, and we examine them in the next test."
"The 'Kochav' becoming operational will be a quantum leap for the UAV division," stated Maj. Eran. "The 'Kochav' has a wide range of capabilities that will allow us to go higher, farther and faster."
The Hermes 900 has a high carrying capacity and is built to carry payloads on a number of locations on its wings. Its endurance capability allows the performance of very long missions at long ranges. "We may have completed the integration tests, but the learning and development process is far from being over," he emphasized.
