It can fly as high as 6km in the sky, cruise at speeds
as fast as 130kmh, and can be deployed up to 200km away from a
remote location.
This drone - or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) - can
also fly for more than 24 hours continuously, and take off and land
automatically.
It is no ordinary drone though, but the Singapore
airforce's latest "eye-in-the-sky" - the Heron 1, which was
declared combat-ready on Wednesday (March 15) by Defence Minister
Ng Eng Hen.
It is a milestone which places the Singapore Armed
Forces' (SAF) on par with other advanced militaries in intelligence
and surveillance capabilities.
In a ceremony held at Murai Camp, Dr Ng marked the
Heron 1's achievement of the Full Operational Capability (FOC)
status by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) 119 and 128
Squadrons.
In a speech, he said: "It's a significant milestone.
The FOC of the Heron brings RSAF's (unmanned) aerial capabilities
to the level of advanced militaries globally."
With its advanced imaging sensors, the Heron 1 provides
ground commanders with a real-time, bird's eye view of the
battlefield, and it can also guide munitions to targets precisely
using its laser designator.
Inaugurated into the RSAF in 2012, the drone can be
deployed alongside fighter aircraft and attack helicopters.
To achieve FOC, the squadrons' personnel have to be
fully trained to operate, maintain and deploy the Heron 1 in
operations.
The UAV's capabilities are also validated in missions,
to ensure integration with the SAF's network of sensors and
fighting systems.
Dr Ng said the 119 and 128 Squadrons have gained
considerable expertise and depth, through many high-level
exercises, such as multi-agency counter-terrorism exercises in
Singapore, and Exercise Forging Sabre in Arizona, US.
Commending the RSAF and the UAV Command, Dr Ng also
said SAF has come a long way since 1979, when it launched its first
Mastiff remotely piloted vehicle, and that it has steadily built up
its experience on successive and more advanced platforms.
The Heron 1 is made by the Israel Aerospace Industries
Malat division and will replace the Searcher-class UAV, which has
been in service since 1994.
ST