Israeli Air Force Heron 1 drone crashes into sea | Fleet disabled for testing
Last Friday, the IDF announced that one of its drones crashed during an operational activity, but did not disclose the type of aircraft. It turned out to be a Heron 1 drone. Following the incident, the entire fleet has been disabled until the malfunction is understood
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 14/09/2022
Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
An Israeli Air Force (IAF) Heron 1 drone (also known as “Shoval”), crashed on Friday into the sea. Following this incident, the entire fleet was disabled until the malfunction is identified.
The IDF said in a statement that on Thursday night, a drone fell into the sea near Israel’s northern border, due to a malfunction. “IDF forces removed the aircraft from the sea. This type of aircraft will remain grounded until the end of the investigation.”
IDF drone malfunctions are known to happen from time to time, also during operational activity. Several years ago, a Hermes 450 drone (“Zik”) crashed into the sea near the shore of Tripoli in Lebanon. The drone was pulled out of the water, and most likely ended up in Iranian hands. Photos of this incident were published online.
Why was the Heron 1 fleet grounded? Is this due to a singular, particular fault in one vessel, or perhaps something widespread, which might endanger the entire fleet? These are open-ended questions for the IDF to answer.
Last Friday, the IDF announced that one of its drones crashed during an operational activity, but did not disclose the type of aircraft. It turned out to be a Heron 1 drone. Following the incident, the entire fleet has been disabled until the malfunction is understood
Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
An Israeli Air Force (IAF) Heron 1 drone (also known as “Shoval”), crashed on Friday into the sea. Following this incident, the entire fleet was disabled until the malfunction is identified.
The IDF said in a statement that on Thursday night, a drone fell into the sea near Israel’s northern border, due to a malfunction. “IDF forces removed the aircraft from the sea. This type of aircraft will remain grounded until the end of the investigation.”
IDF drone malfunctions are known to happen from time to time, also during operational activity. Several years ago, a Hermes 450 drone (“Zik”) crashed into the sea near the shore of Tripoli in Lebanon. The drone was pulled out of the water, and most likely ended up in Iranian hands. Photos of this incident were published online.
Why was the Heron 1 fleet grounded? Is this due to a singular, particular fault in one vessel, or perhaps something widespread, which might endanger the entire fleet? These are open-ended questions for the IDF to answer.
