Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) for Maritime Surveillance Services

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has awarded a framework contract valued at 184,320,000 EUR to Airbus DS Airborne Solutions and Israel Aerospace Industries for providing Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) services using the Maritime Heron UAS for maritime surveillance over the Mediterranean Sea, primarily from bases in Greece, Italy, and/or Malta. The contract, a follow-on agreement starting in early 2025 for four years, involves uncrewed aerial systems equipped with electro-optical, thermal infrared sensors, maritime patrol radar, and vessel identification systems, capable of over 20 hours of endurance per flight to support border security and stability. It delivers complete services including live data streaming, sensor data fusion, and up to multiple daily missions for enhanced situational awareness.

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Merged: 436801-2024 (completed)