On the recommendation of EASA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the Greek civilian aviation authority has for the first time issued a permit allowing IAI’s Heron 1 UAV to be flown in Greece’s airspace. The permit allows the system to be used in the operational activities of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, whose charter is to provide marine surveillance and coastal protection.
The UAV flights are carried out in Europe’s civil airspace according to civil flight procedures with no military intervention or control.
The Heron 1 systems are equipped with electrooptical day- and night-vision payloads and marine surveillance radars that provide an up-to-date, real-time, accurate intelligence picture. This information is then distributed to decision-makers in situation rooms by means of a specialized system that ensures the smooth coordination, planning, and command of the various tasks and assignments.