Israel’s Elbit unveils civilian UAV that can fly alongside commercial jets

Aug. 1, 2018
The Israeli defense contractor Elbit has unveiled a civilian version of its Hermes 900 drone that can be flown alongside manned airplanes.

The Israeli defense contractor Elbit has unveiled a civilian version of its Hermes 900 drone that can be flown alongside manned airplanes. The StarLiner, as the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is known, is meant to enable governments and security agencies to collect intelligence in areas where drones are prohibited from flying alongside commercial passenger aircraft for safety reasons. Officials from the manufacturer, Elbit Systems Ltd. in Haifa, Israel, say the model was created in light of requests by countries around the world for drones that can help thwart domestic terror attacks, and not just for missions abroad. Most currently available UAVs lack the sensors to operate in these areas without interfering with other aircraft. As a result, many countries forbid such drones from flying in civilian airspaces.

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