Singapore’s Hermes 450 Drone Fully Operational

Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s Hermes 450 (H-450) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) status, Singaporean Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen announced Monday.

Ng said, "The Hermes 450 is one of the most capable UAVs in its class and indeed, the world. Compared to the older UAVs, the Hermes 450 enhances our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities with its extended endurance, advanced avionics and more capable sensors."

"UAVs have now become a critical asset to many military operations and have proven themselves to make a decisive difference to outcomes, whether it is in peacetime operations or battles," he said.

Operated by 116 Squadron, the H-450 is the first advanced UAV to achieve FOC status in the SAF. After taking delivery of the H-450s in May 2007, the UAV pilots, air force engineers and maintenance crew have undergone intensive training to operate and maintain the aircraft, as well as integrate the aircraft to support the SAF's operations.