German Heron 1 fully operational in Mali
The Heron 1 deployed by the Luftwaffe to Mali last year reached its full operational capability (FOC) on 1 February after its first flight with a satellite link the day before.
The 720km flight was between Gao and Timbuktu and the satellite link allows the UAS to fly over the entire area of operations of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Before reaching its FOC Heron 1's range was limited by a ground link to around 220km. The range throughout the area of operations is especially useful for helping to protect convoys as the entire route
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