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BAE HERTI UAV, Wikipedia

“The BAE Systems HERTI, whose airframe is based on a Polish glider design, is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the British company BAE Systems. HERTI stands for ‘High Endurance Rapid Technology Insertion’ and was developed in Warton, United Kingdom. Its first flight was in December 2004 at the Australian Woomera test range where much of the test flight programme has been undertaken.”

“Under project Morrigan, BAE Systems deployed a HERTI UAV to Afghanistan where it flew missions from Camp Bastion. Specific mission profiles are still classified, however the system did send data back to the UK in a procedure called “reach back” and BAE Systems claims that the deployment was a success. The Royal Air Force said that the HERTI was successful ‘in demonstrating its capability in an operational environment’.”

BAE Systems ‘Herti’ UAV Being Tested in Afghanistan, DIAR.com News Archive December 2007

“BAE Systems (BAES) has confirmed the deployment of its ‘Herti’ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to Afghanistan as part of a joint initiative between the RAF Air Warfare Centre and BAES, known as project ‘Morrigan’. The deployment of integrated ‘Herti’ UAV systems into UK forces for a short period aims to develop potential tactics, techniques & procedures for the longer-term integration of such UAVs into existing joint manned/unmanned force structures. The ‘Herti’ is one of a family of UAVs being developed by BAES through its Autonomous Systems & Future Capability, Integrated System Technologies, and Australian businesses. Through this work, BAES says it has been able to translate high levels of autonomy into increased operational effectiveness. [08.11.07]”

BAE spy plane video footage, The Gazette, 15 November 2006.

“Herti – High Endurance Rapid Technology Insertion – is BAE’s “secret” project developed at its Warton site. It is a programme which has so far cost £100m and, more importantly, is being hailed as the future for the aerospace industry. The Uninhabited Air Vehicle (UAV) pilotless aircraft can now fly for up to 25 hours without refuelling, react to different conditions and take super high resolution images of areas normal military patrols could not reach without detection.”

Video

See also

• Skylark UAV, Australian Forces Abroad
• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Solomon Islands
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) [Timor Leste]