Khaberni - Iranian media reported last Thursday that the Iranian air defense forces shot down the latest Israeli "Hermes 900" drone over Fars province.
The drone was a strike reconnaissance drone weighing 970 kilograms. Despite the official ceasefire, the drone was sent on a spying mission which ended in failure.
It appears that the heavy drone was downed using the newly revealed Iranian "Ghaem-118" (Ghaem - 118) "ground-to-air" missile system, aimed at intercepting and preventing airspace violations, which was first unveiled early last year. The system contains five missile containers mounted on an Aras-3 all-terrain vehicle. The maximum missile launch range reaches up to 25 km.
Targets are detected and tracked passively using a system operating on television and thermal channels. The system is also equipped with a very small radar that can be placed in a pickup truck box.
Key specifications of the Israeli "Elbit Hermes 900" (also known as "Kochav" or Planet):
Classification and type: Medium-altitude, long-endurance tactical unmanned aerial vehicle developed by "Elbit Systems".
Dimensions and weight: The body length is 8.3 meters, and the wingspan is 15 meters. The maximum takeoff weight ranges from 970 kg (in some sources) to 1180 kg (in more recent sources).
Payload and capabilities: The payload capacity is 300-350 kg, allowing it to carry a variety of sensors, radars (like SAR/GMTI radar), and precision-guided weapons such as "Hellfire" and "Stinger" missiles.
Performance (range and altitude): It can fly for 30 to 40 continuous hours, and its service ceiling reaches 30,000-33,000 feet (approximately 9,100-10,000 meters).
Speed and engine: Its maximum speed is about 220 km/h, cruising speed around 130 km/h, powered by a single Rotax 914 engine with a power output of approximately 74.6 kW.
