Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unveiled the latest version of its Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Singapore Airshow last week. The re-designed Super Heron Heavy Fuel ‘drone’ can stay airborne for 45hr. As the name suggests, it differs from previous incarnations due to the integration of a heavy-fuel engine.

Developed to “meet growing interest among leading customers”, the Super Heron has a 200hp engine and an advanced propulsion system that “significantly enhances its capacity, rate of climb, and performance”. The decision to switch to diesel fuel is said to give the drone safety advantages that would appeal to international armies. It underwent trial flights in Israel late last year and is already in operation with the Israel Air Force and another 20 users.

Yossi Weiss IAI CEO said that the company’s decision to unveil the drone in Singapore indicates “the rising popularity of the UAV market in Asia”. Israel’s defence industry has identified a decline in military investment in Europe and the USA, prompting it to look towards markets in Latin America, Asia and Africa — hence the decision to unveil the Super Heron drone in Singapore.

He added: “In these second-tier countries, outside of Europe and the USA, a variety of drones can meet internal security needs, protect gas and oil sites and safeguard borders.”