World Of Defense: Indian Navy wants more Heron And Searcher-2 UAV's

Our Indian Navy is being stretched to the limits and with most of its project delayed it is looking for force multipliers. For this reason it requires unmanned air vehicles made by Israel Aerospace Industries. Some sources have reported, that these to potentially include improved Heron or Heron-TP systems carrying maritime sensor payloads. Evaluations using some systems have already been carried out, they add.
This January Indian Navy has completed the organisation of its second squadron of UAV's, Currently Heron and Searcher II are in operation and being used for multiple missions. The operational demand on these machines have grown so much that additional contract might be given to IAI.
In addition to having already provided UAVs to the Indian navy, IAI is also equipping the service with additional equipment, such as the Barak-8 air defence missile.

Searcher MK-II
The Searcher Mk II is a multi mission tactical UAV system used for surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery adjustment and damage assessment.
The Searcher Mk II system main features and capabilities are:

Multiple operational configurations
SAR/GMTI
SIGINT
EO/IR

Low-noise integrated 4 stroke engine for low audio detection
Built from composite materials to reduce radar tection
Adverse weather capability
Safe, reliable and easy operation
Two proven simultaneous Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety

Fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics

Payloads

Electro Optical (TV & IR Combi or Triple Sensor TV/IR/LD)
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
COMINT & ESM Integration Capability
Customer furnished payloads

Datalinks

Direct Line-of-Sight (LOS) data link
UAV airborne data relay for beyond LOS missions
Ground-based data relay for beyond LOS missions

Searcher Mk II For India

The Indian Army has reportedly deployed its first batch of 25 Israeli-made Searcher Mark II unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over its frontiers with Pakistan and China. I India has purchased 100 of the reconnaissance drones at a cost of $750 million and may double this order. The Searcher Mark II is produced by Israel Aircraft Industries. It can remain airborne for 16 hours and has a maximum range of 150 kilometers at the relatively high altitude of 18,500 feet, making it especially suitable for missions over the Himalayas.

Heron 1/Mahatz 1/Shoval
The HERON I main features and capabilities are:

Multiple operational configurations
Adverse weather capability
Safe, reliable and easy operation
Simultaneously 4 sensors use capability
Satellite communication for extended range (SATCOM)
Two proven simultaneous Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety

Fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics
Retractable landing gear

Payloads

Electro Optical (TV & IR Combi or Triple Sensor TV/IR/LD)
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Maritime Patrol Radar (MPR)
COMINT & ESM capability

Customer furnished sensor suites
Communication relay package
Integrated ATC Radio

Datalinks

Direct Line-of-Sight (LOS) data link
UAV airborne data relay for beyond LOS missions
Ground-based data relay

Performance
Endurance: 45 hr

Range: 350 km
Range with satellite coverage: Beyond Line of Sight
Altitude: 30,000 ft

Technical Data
Maximum take-off weight: 1,150 kg
Maximum Payload Weight: 250 Kg
Overall Length: 8.50 m
Wingspan: 16.60 m

Heron 2/Mahatz 2/Heron TP/Eitan

The HERON TP main features and capabilities are:

Multi mission platform with multiple operational configurations
Large internal volume for a variety of payloads
Simultaneous and flexible operation of payloads

All weather capability
Operation above commercial traffic
Satellite communication for extended range (SATCOM)
Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) systems for maximal safety
Triple, fully redundant, state-of-the-art avionics
Retractable landing gear
Safe, reliable and easy operation