IAI Super Heron HF
'Heavy-fuel' evolution of the Shoval: a 200 hp diesel engine, doubled climb performance and the ability to carry significantly heavier payloads.
IAI Super Heron HF
'Heavy-fuel' evolution of the Shoval: a 200 hp diesel engine, doubled climb performance and the ability to carry significantly heavier payloads.
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- IAI Super Heron HF
- Alias
- Heron Heavy Fuel
- Manufacturer
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
- Country
- Israel
- Year
- 2014
- Category
- ISR (Reconnaissance)
- Class
- MALE (Medium-altitude / long-endurance)
- Status
- In service
Performance
- Range
- 1000 km
- Endurance
- 45 h
- Top speed
- 278 km/h
- Service ceiling
- 9,100 m
- Propulsion
- Diesel heavy-fuel FIAT da 200 hp
Physical characteristics
- MTOW
- 1452 kg
- Payload
- 470 kg
Onboard systems
- Sensors
- EO/IR, SAR/GMTI, ELINT, radar marittimo, laser designator
- Datalink / control
- LOS + SATCOM (BLOS)
- Launch
- Pista
- Recovery
- Pista
Tags
Main operators
History
Unveiled at Singapore Airshow 2014, the Super Heron HF uses a heavy-fuel diesel (Jet A-1 kerosene) in place of the Shoval's Rotax gasoline engine, improving logistics and endurance.
Top speed rises from 207 to 278 km/h and climb rate doubles, while retaining the original Heron 1 avionics and airframe to minimize transition costs for existing operators.
The Super Heron HF was born from an upgrade program for existing Heron 1 operators who needed higher transit speed and the ability to operate from high-altitude plateaus (Himalayas, Andes), where the gasoline Rotax engine lost power.
The 200 hp diesel powerplant, derived from Italy's FIAT automotive line, allowed logistics to be standardized on Jet A-1 fuel already used by military jets and the navy, removing the need for a separate avgas supply chain.
The Super Heron has been pitched in tenders in India, Brazil and several Gulf states, positioning itself as a cheaper alternative to the MQ-9 Reaper for nations that need a high-endurance MALE drone without the bureaucratic burden of US export restrictions.