April 2025 – Aerial reconnaissance protects NATO infrastructure in the Baltic Sea
To protect the critical underwater infrastructure of NATO countries, the German Air Force is participating in the NATO Baltic Sentry mission with the German Heron TP (GHTP) reconnaissance drone. This drone is operated, maintained and evaluated for the Air Force by Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS).
The unmanned German Heron TP drone is optimally equipped to monitor the sea routes in the Baltic Sea with its high-resolution cameras and modern sensors and radar. It transmits the information it collects in real time to NATO agencies, which thereby get a bird’s eye view. Thanks to its modern technology and an altitude of 12,500 meters, the drone is virtually impossible for potential aggressors on the water to detect. This gives NATO forces a decisive advantage. They can identify potential threats at an early stage and take measures to defend NATO infrastructure.
“We at ADAS are proud to support the German Armed Forces and NATO in the deployment of the system in national and collective defence by operating the GHTP system in European airspace,” emphasizes Ralf Hastedt, Managing Director Sales and Business Development at Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH. He continues: ”With its diverse capabilities, the system is suitable for monitoring not only European borders, but also adjacent areas such as sea areas. Particularly in the current conflict-ridden times, we are making an important contribution to defence and security in Europe, both today and in the future.”
What is Baltic Sentry?
The task of Baltic Sentry is to protect the critical underwater infrastructure of NATO member states in Europe, such as data cables and pipelines. To this end, the military presence in the Baltic Sea is being increased to deter aggressors from possible acts of sabotage and to investigate suspicious activities. In the event of attacks on NATO infrastructure, the boarding of suspicious ships cannot be ruled out, as the Finnish authorities did in December 2024.
February 2025 – First cross-border flight in European airspace for the German Heron TP (GHTP)
The expansion of airspace for the GHTP is progressing rapidly. On February 3, the first cross-border flight of the German Heron TP took place from Jagel into the civil airspace of the Netherlands. This is made possible by a globally valid flight certification, which was granted to a UAS for the first time. The GHTP now shares controlled airspace with civilian and military aircraft.
December 2024 – For the second time running: Frontex selects Airbus in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries for maritime surveillance
Airbus subsidiary Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS) and its long-term partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will continue to provide uncrewed aerial maritime surveillance services to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. Under the terms of the follow-on framework contract that has now been signed, the Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance system Maritime Heron will be operated for Frontex in the European sky over the Mediterranean for another four years, making an important contribution to the security and stability of Europe.
The continuation of missions with the uncrewed aerial system (UAS) Heron under the new framework contract is scheduled for the beginning of 2025. The Maritime Heron can stay in the air for over 20 hours (in the contracted configuration). It collects surveillance data by using electro-optical sensors and thermal infrared sensors. The Heron UAS is also equipped with a high-performance maritime patrol radar and an automatic identification system of vessels.
All collected data are forwarded directly to the Frontex operational command centre in Warsaw and the control centres of the respective host countries. This enables it to coordinate rescue operations in real time, take action against illegal activities and thus ensure the safety of the Mediterranean.
“This new contract underlines both the leading position of ADAS and IAI in the provision and execution of services with Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance drone systems and the long-standing, successful cooperation with the European Union,” said Tim Behrens, CEO of Airbus DS Airborne Solutions. “We are grateful to continuously support Frontex on its essential commitment to monitor and secure Europe’s external borders and hence proud to contribute to the stability of Europe.”
“Israel Aerospace Industries is proud to be chosen by Airbus to be the subcontractor for this Frontex contract,” said Moshe Levy, IAI VP and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group. “We will continue to provide Airbus with all its requirements, while delivering the highest level of professional service. The Heron UAS has clocked over 650,000 hours of operational flight around the world to date, successfully carrying out all its missions. We look forward with confidence to continued success in the European Union.”
The uncrewed aerial system Heron will be operated for Frontex in the European sky over the Mediterranean for another four years, making an important contribution to the security and stability of Europe.
May 2024 – The German Heron TP has made its first flight in German airspace!
On May 15th 2024 the German Heron TP (GHTP) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) has completed its first flight in German airspace. With this maiden flight, the GHTP has taken an important step in reaching full operational capability.
Based on the Heron TP of Israel Aerospace Industries and customised by Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS), GHTP will provide the German Armed Forces with additional capabilities to fill a gap in the field of persistent, weather independent airborne, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance.
The German Heron TP is the only RPAS in its class that has been certified in compliance with STANAG 4671. Currently the RPAS is flying together with all civilian and military aircraft in controlled airspace over northern Germany.
In addition to the provision and modification of the RPAS, the industrial operator model of ADAS also includes the training of Air Force personnel, basic operation, maintenance and repair in theatre, as well as the provision of flight hours. The system is equipped with means to conduct optical and imaging radar reconnaissance, while providing options for additional SIGINT (signals intelligence) as well as maritime surveillance capabilities. The German Heron TP RPAS, enables the German Armed Forces to expand its strategic and tactical capabilities, while ensuring interoperability with NATO partners.
The Heron TP is the strategic version in IAI’s Heron family of RPAS which also includes the Heron 1 – successfully operated by the German Air Force during its deployments in Afghanistan and Mali for several years, supported by ADAS with their operator model.
Successful landing: The German HERON TP (GHTP) arrives in Germany – April 2024
The transport of the GHTP from Ben Gurion (Israel) to Jagel at the beginning of April was a success. This marks an important milestone in the GHTP programme: The launch of the German Heron TP system in Germany.
German Heron TP (GHTP) contract amendment signed – November 2023
The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract amendment with Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH, a 100% Airbus subsidiary, to demonstrate operations with the German Heron TP drone in Germany.
With its signature, the BAAINBw has now cleared the way for a six-month flight operation of the GHTP project in Germany, with which the system can be operated in European airspace, starting with flights in German airspace. The contractor Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH (ADAS) is providing the aircraft and support services to the German Armed Forces.
The flight operation with the GHTP for the purposes of national and alliance defence will take place at the Jagel site near Schleswig, where the Tactical Air Force Wing 51 “Immelmann” is also stationed. The Israeli drone system has been type-certified for operation in Germany since the end of last year.
The GHTP is a market-available system with modifications for the operational needs of the Bundeswehr and will take over the capability for reconnaissance, surveillance and support of forces on the ground until the introduction of the Eurodrone.
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