Airbus-backed German Heron drone takes maiden flight

A drone has successfully flown in German airspace for its first flight. The German Heron TP (GHTP) was built in close cooperation between Airbus, IAI, Israel’s Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the German Armed Forces. This ensured development of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), which exhibits both advanced performance and operational readiness while also providing the German Armed Forces with additional capabilities. The flight was conducted in the presence of the senior representatives from the German Air Force, the DDR&D at the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Airbus and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). President and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Mr. Boaz Levy, said; ""The deployment of Heron TP (GHTP) RPAS in Germany signifies a milestone achievement for Israel Aerospace Industries, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of cutting-edge aerospace and defense solutions on the global stage. This collaboration sets the stage for continued innovation and collaboration in addressing the ever-evolving challenges in the defence sector."" Head of DDR&D, IMOD, Dr. Daniel Gold spoke about the project, saying; ""We are immensely proud to witness this milestone achievement, the maiden flight of the German Heron TP. This joint endeavor between Israel and Germany exemplifies the strong partnership and collaboration between our nations, harnessing cutting-edge technology to provide a qualitative military advantage. ""The German Heron TP RPAS represents a strategic leap forward in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, fortifying Germany's defense prowess while fostering interoperability with our allies. ” Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, Mr. Jean-Brice Dumont, said; “With the German Heron TP, we are building on the success of our close cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries and the German Armed Forces on the Heron 1. This RPAS has been vital for the safety of German troops and populations in Afghanistan and Mali, while also having supported humanitarian missions. The Heron TP will continue in this tradition and guarantee an unmanned system with outstanding performance and operational readiness, which could also provide additional capabilities for the German Armed Forces in the future due to its modularity, such as maritime surveillance capabilities.”