Heron
A long-endurance reconnaissance family built to carry different intelligence sensors. IAI describes both land and naval operating roles with international customers.
- Country / region
- Israel
- Programme status
- Supplier account
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- Israel Aerospace Industries
- Origin / production countries
- Israel
- Other names
- Heron 1
- Variants / configurations
- Heron baseline; Heron Mk II — distinct configuration; Heron TP is a separate larger platform
- Operators / programme customers
- No complete operator list disclosed in the reviewed sources
Evidence & current status
Status and performance are attributed to the supplier. They do not establish an independently audited fleet size or effectiveness rate.
Role & capabilities
- Multi-sensor ISR
- Satellite communications
- Automatic takeoff and landing
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Fixed-wing MALE reconnaissance aircraft
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Launch / recovery
- Automatic runway take-off and landing
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Propulsion
- Not established from the reviewed sources.
Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 16.6 m span; 8.5 m length
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Mass
- 1,270 kg maximum take-off mass
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- Up to 45 h
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Range
- LOS below 250 km; BLOS above 1,000 km, per IAI table
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Speed
- 60–80 KTAS loiter; 140 KTAS maximum
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Altitude
- Table states above 35,000 ft; narrative says up to 35,000 ft
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Payload
- Up to 470 kg
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Multiple customer-specific intelligence sensors
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Communications / navigation
- LOS and SATCOM/BLOS
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗