Heron Mk II

Heron Mk II overview

Heron Mk II is Israel Aerospace Industries' updated Heron-family MALE aircraft for persistent ISR and multi-mission operations. IAI presents it for land and maritime surveillance, intelligence collection, communications, and support to precision operations. Its larger payload capacity and long endurance are intended to let one air vehicle combine several sensors or carry mission equipment for extended sorties.

IAI-reported figures include a 1,450-kg maximum takeoff weight, 490-kg payload, 45-hour endurance, 35,000-foot ceiling, 140-knot speed, 8.5-m length, and 16.6-m wingspan. Those are manufacturer-reported values, not independent test results, and they do not establish a single standardized configuration. Height, mission radius, detailed sensor suite, and weapons fit are Not publicly disclosed.

IAI unveiled the Mk II in 2022 as an evolution rather than a wholly unrelated aircraft. Through September 2026, the platform remains an active defense-industry offering with reported customer interest, but public sources do not provide a complete, variant-specific operator list or a universal service-entry date. Heron-family combat and surveillance use should not automatically be attributed to the Mk II variant.

Armament

Mission-configurable payloads; weapon integration and fit Not publicly disclosed

Development and operational timeline

1. Jun 2021IAI begins public preparation of the larger Heron-family development later presented as Heron Mk II
2. Jun 2022IAI unveils Heron Mk II and publishes its long-endurance, high-payload mission concept
3. Nov 2023International marketing and customer discussions continue; variant-specific operator details remain limited
4. Sep 2026Heron Mk II remains an active IAI offering; complete operator and in-service status are Not publicly disclosed