Hermes takes off in Switzerland
AR-15 pictured on take-off for its maiden test flight. (Photo: DDPS)
The ADS-15 UAV (the Swiss designation for the Hermes 900) performed its first test flight on 15 June before planned transfer to the Swiss Air Force in the second half of the year.
The ADS-15 ISR UAV for the Swiss Armed Forces has performed its maiden test flight.
During the 70-minute flight from Emmen Air Base, the MALE UAV achieved a top speed of 180km/h and maximum altitude of 6,560ft above sea level, the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) revealed on 15 June.
The ADS-15 returned safely to Emmen. ‘All planned test points of the first flight were successfully completed,’ the DDPS added.
This milestone followed successful roll tests in May 2022, after a pair of AR-15s were delivered to Switzerland in April 2022
ADS-15 is the local designation for the Hermes 900 UAV from Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems. It replaces ADS-95 (RUAG Ranger) UAVs that entered Swiss service in 1999 and were retired in 2019.
‘Specialists from the Israeli manufacturer Elbit supported the Swiss project team in the preparation before and during the flight,’ the DDPS noted.
Pending the successful completion of a test programme for technical functionality and sensor performance, the two AR-15s will be transferred to the Swiss Air Force in the second half of 2022.
Four more AR-15s will follow by the end of 2023, the DDPS added.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Hermes 900 StarLiner [Switzerland]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
