Swiss plan acquisition of Hermes 900 HFE unmanned aerial system

HAIFA, Israel, June 9 (UPI) -- Israel's Elbit Systems has been chosen by Switzerland as the preferred equipment supplier for the country's reconnaissance drone program.

The drone to be provided for the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport program, subject to additional government approval, is the Hermes 900 HFE.

The Hermes 900 HFE is a medium-sized unmanned aerial system with a flight endurance time of 13 hours and a ceiling altitude of 30,000 feet. It is primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and can carry a payload of more than 600 pounds.

The Swiss government said the Hermes 900 would replace the country's current fleet of ADS 95 Ranger reconnaissance drones.

"Under the 2015 arms procurement program, efforts are in progress to replace the current UAV system, which is reaching the end of its life cycle," the Swiss government said. "In order to ensure its replacement in good time, the new model has been chosen, which allows the dispatch on procurement to be drawn up."