Australian Heron detachment extended to end of 2014
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan will continue to benefit from the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities provided by the Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) until the end of 2014, following the extension of the Royal Australian Air Force’s contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA).
MDA has supported Australian forces in Afghanistan by providing critically important real-time ISR information directly to ground commanders since January 2010. ISAF requested the continuation of the service to support its requirement to maintain ISR capability during the traditional fighting season.
The current rotation of personnel – comprised of air force, army and navy personnel and civilian contractors - was scheduled to return to Australia in mid-2014. The rotation will now be extended for up to six weeks to allow an additional rotation of personnel to be prepared and deployed.
Three Heron UAV aircraft are operated from Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan under the service. The Heron detachment has played an integral role in supporting the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and ISAF’s request to Australia is testament to the capability’s strong reputation.
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