RSAF Hermes 450 UAV Reaches FOC
Following the delivery of the UAV to RSAF’s 116 Sqn in May 2007, the pilots, engineers and maintenance crew have undergone “intensive training” to allow them to operate the aircraft in line with RSAF procedures, Singapore’s defence ministry says.
A ceremony to mark the FOC achievement was held at Murai Camp on 30 March, with defence minister Ng Eng Hen in attendance.
The Hermes 450 was acquired to supplement the air force’s Israel Aerospace Industries Searcher and Heron 1 UAVs by providing a vehicle with longer endurance, advanced avionics and better sensors.
Key to this is the 3-in-1 payload, which combines electro-optical, forward-looking infrared and a laser designator in one pod.
“I am glad to note that the UAV command is also reorganising itself to better develop its air ISR capabilities and to translate raw data into actionable intelligence more quickly, for our ground commanders and troops to use,” Ng adds.
The RSAF deployed to Afghanistan for six years in support of the International Security Assistance Force mission, during which it utilised UAVs to provide surveillance and identify threats.
"The UAV task force and our imagery analysis team received accolades from many military commanders and political leaders," Ng says.
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