Aircraft & UAVs

Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft

Also known as
  • Hermes 450
  • Hermes 450 UAS
  • Hermes 450 UAV
  • H450
  • Zik
  • The Spark

Elbit Systems' Hermes 450 is an Israeli tactical UAS, known in Israeli Air Force service as Zik or The Spark, that combines long-endurance ISR payloads, autonomous ground-station control, and armed configurations documented in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, while other sourced rows cover Azerbaijani fire-control missions in Nagorno-Karabakh and British H450 ISTAR support in Afghanistan.

Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft, Multi-role tactical UAS, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Hermes-450.jpg on Wikimedia Commons

Role in Conflicts

2014 Gaza War
Long-Range StrikeTargeting Support
Side
Israel

Used by the Israeli Air Force in the 2014 Gaza War; DIMSE identifies Hermes drone employment during Operation Protective Edge, and Drone Wars UK cites reporting that a Hermes 450 captured footage during the Gaza beach strike chain that killed four Bakr family boys in July 2014.

Operator Context

The Hermes 450 appears in sources under several operator labels. Zik is the Israeli Air Force service name, H450 appears in British and Singaporean material, and conflict-use claims in this entry stay tied to the operator and theater that each source directly documents.

Israel

Israeli reporting identifies the Hermes 450 as Zik, or The Spark, and separate conflict rows document Israeli use in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.

Sources: Times of Israel: Hermes 900 joins Hermes 450; FDD/Jerusalem Post: Hermes 450 Zik drones in Hamas war; CTech War Room: Zik over Tehran.

United Kingdom

UK Ministry of Defence sources describe British Army H450 operations in Afghanistan as unarmed ISTAR, reconnaissance, target-acquisition, and full-motion-video support.

Sources: GOV.UK Hermes UAV Afghanistan milestone; Operation Herrick Aircraft Statistics.

Singapore

Singapore's Ministry of Defence describes the RSAF H-450 as fully operational in 2015 and gives useful public dimensions, engine, speed, and ground-control context.

Sources: MINDEF Singapore Hermes 450 UAV Fact Sheet; RSAF Hermes 450 Fully Operational.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Multi-role tactical UAS
Service note
Late 1990s-present
Designer
Elbit Systems
Designed
1990s
Produced
1998-present

Specifications

Crew
0
Takeoff weight
550 kg
Max payload
180 kg
Endurance
17 hours
Service ceiling
18,000 ft
Wingspan
10.5 m
Length
6.1 m in Singapore MINDEF fact sheet
Cruise speed
70 kts in Singapore MINDEF fact sheet
Engine
Wankel R802 engine (351 cc) in Singapore MINDEF fact sheet
Payload options
EO/IR/laser, SAR/GMTI/MPR + AIS, ELINT, EW, COMINT, communications-jamming, hyperspectral, and large-area scanning payloads
Ground control
Hermes ground control system; Elbit says two concurrent missions can be run from one GCS using two ground data terminals
Operational flight hours
300,000+ operational flight hours in Elbit product material
Mission Architecture

Elbit's public material presents the Hermes 450 as a tactical UAS built around modular payloads and ground-station control rather than a single fixed mission kit. The same airframe appears in surveillance, targeting-support, and armed-strike contexts depending on the operator and theater.

Payload fit

Elbit lists EO/IR/laser, SAR/GMTI/MPR, COMINT/COMMJAM, ELINT, hyperspectral, and large-area scanning payload options, including selected dual-payload configurations.

Sources: Elbit Hermes 450 Tactical Drone; Hermes 450 brochure PDF.

Control model

Mission management is performed through the Hermes ground control system; Elbit says one GCS can run two concurrent missions using two ground data terminals.

Source: Elbit Hermes 450 Tactical Drone.

Armed carriage

Source-backed carriage claims identify Hellfire, Spike, and Mikholit-family munitions, while direct theater evidence distinguishes where the aircraft is documented as an armed strike asset.

Sources: DIMSE Hermes page; Drone Wars UK: Israel and the Drone Wars; OSMP: Mikholit.

Variants

The Hermes 450 is the smaller Zik baseline in Elbit's Hermes tactical UAS family; public sources also tie it to the larger Hermes 900 and the UK Watchkeeper derivative.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Hermes 450 / ZikBaseline tactical UAS

Elbit describes the Hermes 450 as a multi-role tactical drone with more than 300,000 operational flight hours; Israeli reporting identifies the IAF service name as The Spark, or Zik.

Sources: Elbit Hermes 450 Tactical Drone, Times of Israel: Hermes 900 joins Hermes 450

Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft, Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, Aircraft & UAVsHermes 900 unmanned aircraftLarger Hermes-family UAS

The Times of Israel described the Hermes 900 as a larger Hermes-family system joining the Hermes 450 in Israeli Air Force service.

Sources: Times of Israel: Hermes 900 joins Hermes 450

Watchkeeper WK450UK derivative

Elbit identifies the Hermes 450 as the backbone of the UK Watchkeeper program.

Sources: Elbit Hermes 450 Tactical Drone

Carried Munitions

Source-backed reports and product pages identify the Hermes 450 as a carrier for specific missiles and glide bombs.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAir-to-ground missile family

Business Standard describes the Hermes 450 as an assault UAV equipped with two Hellfire missiles, and Aviation Today likewise says the Hermes 450 long-endurance UAV can carry Hellfire missiles.

Sources: Business Standard: Hermes 450 equipped with two Hellfire missiles, Aviation Today: Hermes 450 can carry Hellfire missiles

SPIKE anti-tank guided-missile family, Anti-tank guided missile family, Infantry WeaponsSPIKE anti-tank guided-missile familyAnti-tank guided missile family

DIMSE says the Hermes 450 can carry four Spike medium-range air-to-ground missiles, and Drone Wars UK reports that Hermes 450 drones were armed with Spike missiles, including an armed IAF Hermes 450 that fired a Spike anti-tank missile.

Sources: DIMSE Hermes page, Drone Wars UK: Israel and the Drone Wars

Mikholit glide bomb, Small guided glide bomb, MunitionsMikholit glide bombGuided glide bomb

OSMP says the Mikholit can be deployed via UAV, including the Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 models.

Sources: OSMP: Mikholit

Timeline

Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft Key Events

  1. Second Lebanon War UAV workhorse

    RAND described the Hermes 450 as a central Israeli UAV in the 2006 Lebanon War, including real-time imagery and target-coordinate support to strike aircraft.

    Sources: RAND: Air Operations in Israel's War Against Hezbollah

  2. British Afghanistan use

    The UK Ministry of Defence said the British Army's H450 system supported Task Force Helmand in Afghanistan with reconnaissance, target acquisition, and full-motion video.

    Sources: GOV.UK Hermes UAV Afghanistan milestone

  3. Operation Cast Lead use

    A UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee report stated that the IDF used Hermes 450 aircraft during Operation Cast Lead.

    Sources: UK Parliament: Hermes 450 during Operation Cast Lead

  4. Operation Protective Edge reporting

    DIMSE identifies Hermes drone use by Israel during Operation Protective Edge and ties a July 2014 Gaza beach strike account to a Hermes 450.

    Sources: DIMSE Hermes page

  5. Singapore declares H-450 fully operational

    Singapore's Ministry of Defence said the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Hermes 450 achieved full operational capability after the RSAF took delivery of H-450s in May 2007.

    Sources: RSAF Hermes 450 Fully Operational

  6. Operational-hours milestone in Elbit brochure

    Elbit's Hermes 450 brochure described the type as combat proven with more than 300,000 operational flight hours.

    Sources: Hermes 450 brochure PDF

  7. Azerbaijani conflict use documented

    Army University Press and Valdai reporting linked Azerbaijan's Hermes 450 inventory to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh fighting.

    Sources: The 44-Day War in Nagorno-Karabakh, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles over Nagorno-Karabakh

  8. Zik drones in the Hamas war

    FDD's republication of Jerusalem Post reporting identified Hermes 450 Zik drones from 161 Squadron as part of Israel's early response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.

    Sources: FDD/Jerusalem Post: Hermes 450 Zik drones in Hamas war

  9. Hermes 450 downed over southern Lebanon

    The Times of Israel reported that Hezbollah said it shot down an Israeli Air Force Hermes 450 over Aaichiyeh in southern Lebanon.

    Sources: Israeli drone downed by Hezbollah missile over south Lebanon

  10. Zik reported over Tehran

    CTech and Ynet reported Zik/Hermes-family drones, including Hermes 450, over Tehran during the 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict.

    Sources: CTech War Room: Zik over Tehran, Ynet: Hermes 450 over Tehran

Media

Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft Videos

Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft Images

Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft, Multi-role tactical UAS, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: RamatDavid 020517 Hermes 450 01.jpg on Wikimedia Commons
Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft, Multi-role tactical UAS, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Hermes 450 take off.jpg on Wikimedia Commons
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Sources

Elbit Hermes 450 Tactical DronePublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Official product page for the Hermes 450's manufacturer, tactical UAS role, payload options, combat-proven background, and Watchkeeper program relationship. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Hermes 450 brochure PDFPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Official brochure listing Hermes 450 performance figures including 550 kg takeoff weight, 180 kg payload, 17-hour endurance, 18,000 ft service ceiling, 10.5 m wingspan, and 300,000-plus operational flight hours. | Accessed: 2026-07-02IDF strikes two in Gaza with Hermes 450Publisher: The Times of Israel | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hamas War direct conflict-use: the Israeli Air Force used a Hermes 450 in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War for a February 2025 Rafah strike in Gaza. | Accessed: 2026-07-02FDD/Jerusalem Post: Hermes 450 Zik drones in Hamas warPublisher: Foundation for Defense of Democracies | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hamas War direct conflict-use: FDD's republication of Jerusalem Post reporting says Israel's 161 Squadron flew Hermes 450 Zik drones during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War for early-war defense, identification, tracking, surveillance, and strike missions. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Independent: Hermes 450 in WCK convoy strikePublisher: The Independent | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hamas War direct conflict-use: The Independent reported that the April 2024 World Central Kitchen convoy strike in Gaza involved Hermes 450 drones, citing military sources and expert assessment. | Accessed: 2026-07-02GOV.UK Hermes UAV Afghanistan milestonePublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct conflict-use: British forces operated the H450 Hermes system in Afghanistan for reconnaissance, target acquisition, full-motion video, and ISTAR support to Task Force Helmand. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Operation Herrick Aircraft StatisticsPublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2001 War in Afghanistan direct conflict-use: UK Ministry of Defence statistics list British Army Hermes UAS flying more than 85,000 hours in Afghanistan and state that British Army UAS in the release were unarmed. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RAND: Air Operations in Israel's War Against HezbollahPublisher: RAND Corporation | Note: Supports 2006 Lebanon War direct conflict-use: RAND describes Israeli Air Force Hermes 450 UAV employment in Operation Change of Direction, including real-time target imagery and coordinate support to strike aircraft during the 2006 Lebanon War. | Accessed: 2026-07-02UK Parliament: Hermes 450 during Operation Cast LeadPublisher: UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee | Note: Supports 2008 Gaza War direct conflict-use: the committee report states that the IDF used Hermes 450 aircraft during Operation Cast Lead. | Accessed: 2026-07-02MINDEF Singapore Hermes 450 UAV Fact SheetPublisher: Ministry of Defence Singapore | Note: Official Singapore fact sheet supporting Hermes 450 length, cruise speed, Wankel R802 engine, ground-control-station operation, autonomous flight mode, and EO/IR/laser designator payload context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RSAF Hermes 450 Fully OperationalPublisher: Ministry of Defence Singapore | Note: Official Singapore release supporting the RSAF's 2015 full operational capability milestone for H-450 UAVs and May 2007 delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Unmanned Aerial Vehicles over Nagorno-KarabakhPublisher: Valdai Discussion Club | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict direct conflict-use: Hermes 450 UAVs were used by Azerbaijani forces for reconnaissance and fire-control missions in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-02The 44-Day War in Nagorno-KarabakhPublisher: Army University Press | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict direct conflict-use: Elbit Hermes 450/900 UAVs were fielded by Azerbaijani forces as part of the UAV fleet used in the 44-day 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Israeli drone downed by Hezbollah missile over south LebanonPublisher: The Times of Israel | Note: Supports 2023 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict direct conflict-use: used by the Israeli Air Force in the 2023 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict over southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah said it shot down an Elbit Hermes 450 over Aaichiyeh on April 22, 2024. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Times of Israel: Hermes 900 joins Hermes 450Publisher: The Times of Israel | Note: Supports Hermes-family variant context: Israeli reporting says the larger Hermes 900, named Kochav or The Star, joined the Hermes 450, known as Zik or The Spark, in Israeli Air Force service. | Accessed: 2026-07-02CTech War Room: Zik over TehranPublisher: CTech | Note: Supports 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict direct conflict-use: CTech reported Zik/Hermes-family Israeli drones operating over Tehran against senior IRGC officers and mobile anti-aircraft launchers. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Ynet: Hermes 450 over TehranPublisher: Ynet News | Note: Supports 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict direct conflict-use: Ynet reported that Israeli Air Force drones, particularly Hermes 450 and other Elbit Hermes-family models, were active over Tehran during Operation Rising Lion against IRGC officials and mobile anti-aircraft launchers. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Hermes-450.jpg on Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image source for an Israeli Air Force Hermes 450 in flight; Commons file page shows CC BY-SA 3.0 licensing and attribution details. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RamatDavid 020517 Hermes 450 01.jpg on Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image source for a Hermes 450 display at Ramat David Air Base; Commons file page shows CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing and attribution details. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Hermes 450 take off.jpg on Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image source for a Hermes 450 takeoff photo; Commons file page identifies the image as a U.S. Department of Homeland Security public-domain work. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Business Standard: Hermes 450 equipped with two Hellfire missilesPublisher: Business Standard | Note: Supports carried-by evidence for the Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft: reporting describes the platform as an assault UAV equipped with two Hellfire missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Aviation Today: Hermes 450 can carry Hellfire missilesPublisher: Aviation Today | Note: Supports carried-by evidence for the Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft: reporting says the long-endurance UAV can carry Hellfire missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-02DIMSE Hermes pagePublisher: DIMSE | Note: Supports carried-by and conflict-use evidence for the Hermes 450: DIMSE says the Hermes 450 can carry four Spike medium-range air-to-ground missiles, identifies Israeli Hermes drone use during Operation Protective Edge, and cites Hermes 450 involvement in the 2024 World Central Kitchen convoy strike. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Drone Wars UK: Precise Strikes, Fractured Bodies, Fractured LivesPublisher: Drone Wars UK | Note: Supports 2014 Gaza War direct conflict-use: the report describes Israeli drone use during Operation Protective Edge and cites reporting that a Hermes 450 captured footage during the Gaza beach strike chain that killed four Bakr family boys in July 2014. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Drone Wars UK: Israel and the Drone WarsPublisher: Drone Wars UK | Note: Supports carried-by and background evidence for the Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft: the report describes Hermes 450 drones armed with Spike missiles, an IAF Hermes 450 that fired a Spike anti-tank missile, and UK leased Hermes 450 operations in Afghanistan. | Accessed: 2026-07-02OSMP: MikholitPublisher: Open Source Munitions Portal | Note: Supports carried-by evidence for the Hermes 450 armed unmanned aircraft: the Mikholit page says the bomb can be deployed via UAV, including the Hermes 450. | Accessed: 2026-07-02