IAI Heron MK2

The IAI Heron MK2 is a medium‑altitude, long‑endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) as an evolution of the original Heron platform that first entered service in the mid‑1990s. Building on more than two decades of operational experience with its predecessor, the MK2 program was launched in 2008 to meet demanding surveillance and intelligence requirements of both military and civilian customers. The aircraft features a larger wingspan, more powerful engines, and an upgraded payload bay that can accommodate up to 500 kg of sensors, including electro‑optical/infrared cameras, synthetic‑aperture radar and signals‑intelligence suites. Its autonomous navigation system offers waypoint‑based flight plans, satellite‑link data links, and a flight endurance exceeding 45 hours, while cruising at 130 km/h at altitudes up to 30,000 feet. The Heron MK2 has been adopted by air forces and border‑control agencies in more than a dozen countries, proving valuable for maritime patrol, border surveillance, disaster monitoring and communications relay missions. By combining reliability, long‑duration flight and a versatile sensor suite, the IAI Heron MK2 has become a benchmark in MALE UAV design, influencing subsequent generations of unmanned aircraft worldwide.