The IAI Heron TP is the large strategic member of Israel Aerospace Industries' Heron UAV family, known in Israeli Air Force service as Eitan. It is built for long-range, high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, and multi-payload missions, with official specifications listing a 5,670 kg maximum takeoff weight, more than 30 hours endurance, beyond-line-of-sight SATCOM operation, and payload capacity far above the smaller Heron 1. Conflict sourcing ties the type to Israeli Iron Swords surveillance sorties and Operation Rising Lion missions over Iran.
IAI said Heron and Heron TP platforms were flying continuous surveillance sorties during the Iron Swords war, while AP reported Germany approved an Israeli request to use up to two German-leased Heron TP combat drones already in Israel for training.
IAI identified Heron TP in its Israeli Eitan configuration as part of the Heron-family MALE force used over Iran during Operation Rising Lion, with long-range operations, extended airborne presence, visual and electronic intelligence, target identification, and battle-damage assessment.
Role detailsHeron TP occupies the heavy end of IAI's Heron family. Its published specification emphasizes altitude, endurance, payload mass, SATCOM, and a ground-control architecture intended for long missions rather than a small tactical drone profile.
IAI lists operation above 45,000 ft, all-weather readiness, triple-redundant avionics, and automatic taxi, takeoff, and landing.
Official material describes multi-mission, multi-payload service with large internal volume and payloads exceeding 1,000 kg; the technical table lists a 2,700 kg maximum payload weight.
The Heron TP product page pairs the aircraft with a Mission Operation and Intelligence Center and advanced ground-control station for fleet command, sensor data handling, and mission flow management.
Heron TP is the larger strategic derivative of the Heron line. IAI and Israeli sources use Eitan for the Israeli Air Force service configuration, while Heron TP is the export and product designation.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Smaller Heron-family MALE UAV | The cataloged Heron 1/Shoval is the smaller Heron-family aircraft; IAI lists Heron TP/Eitan separately with a 5,670 kg maximum takeoff weight, 26 m wingspan, 1,200 hp turboprop, and payload capacity above 1,000 kg. Sources: HERON TP, IAI History |
| Heron TP / Eitan | Israeli Air Force strategic UAV configuration | IAI identifies Heron TP as operational with the Israeli Air Force and calls Eitan the largest indigenous unmanned reconnaissance aircraft in its history timeline. Sources: HERON TP, IAI History, IAF Heron TP Fleet Expansion |
IAI's corporate history says the first successful flight of Eitan, also known as Heron TP, took place in 2006.
Sources: IAI History
IAI announced additional Israeli Air Force Heron TP deliveries, describing the type as the largest unmanned reconnaissance aircraft used by the IAF and linking the expansion to more flight hours, more arenas, and new capabilities.
Sources: IAF Heron TP Fleet Expansion
IAI said Heron and Heron TP platforms were performing continuous surveillance sorties during the Iron Swords war; AP separately reported German approval for Israel to use up to two German-leased Heron TP combat drones in the response to Hamas.
Sources: IAI Unmanned Aerial Dominance, AP Germany Heron TP Approval
IAI identified Heron TP/Eitan among the remotely piloted aircraft used over long ranges during Operation Rising Lion, providing extended visual and electronic intelligence for Israeli forces.
Sources: IAI Rising Lion Systems, IAI Heron Standards
Public reporting often compresses Heron 1, Heron Mk II, and Heron TP into a single Heron label. For catalog purposes, Heron TP is separated here because IAI treats it as the larger strategic derivative and public combat reporting specifically identifies the Eitan/Heron TP configuration.
| Model | Scale | Reader-facing distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Heron 1 / Shoval | 1,270 kg MTOW class | Baseline Heron-family MALE UAV with a smaller payload and airframe, covered in the IAI Heron UAV record. |
| Heron TP / Eitan | 5,670 kg MTOW class | Strategic derivative with a 26 m wingspan, high-altitude operations, BLOS range, and much greater payload capacity. |
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