Bayraktar TB2 vs Elbit Hermes 900
TB2 is widely associated with light precision attack as well as reconnaissance; Hermes 900 is an important persistent multi-sensor ISR reference. The mission labels overlap, but the useful comparison is the actual sensor, communications and weapons package rather than the generic description military drone.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | Bayraktar TB2 | Elbit Hermes 900 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Baykar | Elbit Systems |
| Country of origin | Turkey | Israel |
| Mission role | Reconnaissance / Light Attack | Multi-Role ISR / Strike |
| Year introduced | 2014 | 2012 |
| Length | 6.5 m | 8.3 m |
| Wingspan | 12 m | 15 m |
| Height | 2.2 m | 3.2 m |
| Maximum speed | 110 KTAS / about 204 km/h (current baseline manufacturer figure) | 220 km/h |
| Published range | Communications and mission dependent; LOS/BLOS configuration varies | 2,500 km |
| Endurance | 18+ hours listed; 27 h 3 min record (manufacturer) | 36 hours |
| Service ceiling | 20,000 ft / about 6,100 m (baseline); turbo test records differ | 9,144 m |
| Payload | 150 kg (current baseline manufacturer figure) | 350 kg |
| Weight | 700 kg MTOW (current baseline manufacturer figure) | 1,180 kg |
| Armament | MAM-L, MAM-C smart munitions, LUMTAS | Spike missiles, laser-guided munitions |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Do not assume every Hermes 900 carries weapons or that every TB2 operator has the same communications arrangement. A maritime Hermes configuration and a land-based TB2 strike aircraft may perform complementary tasks rather than constitute directly interchangeable surveillance systems.
Understanding Bayraktar TB2
TB2 combines reusable reconnaissance with light precision attack. Its relatively small weapons and sensor allowance places it in a different class from heavy armed UAVs even when both are described as combat drones.
Keep baseline TB2 data separate from TB2T-AI test records, record-setting flights and customer-specific communications configurations.
Understanding Elbit Hermes 900
Hermes 900 is a medium-altitude platform associated with persistent multi-sensor intelligence missions. Operator equipment, maritime adaptations and communications packages shape its capability more than the family name alone.
Do not assume an armed, maritime or satellite-linked configuration is standard on every customer's aircraft.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named Bayraktar TB2 and Elbit Hermes 900 catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Bayraktar TB2 and Elbit Hermes 900?
TB2 is widely associated with light precision attack as well as reconnaissance; Hermes 900 is an important persistent multi-sensor ISR reference. The mission labels overlap, but the useful comparison is the actual sensor, communications and weapons package rather than the generic description military drone.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the Bayraktar TB2 and Elbit Hermes 900 profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- Bayraktar TB2: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Elbit Hermes 900: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.