EADS Harfang
Airbus · France · also known as Harfang, SIDM · Updated
EADS Harfang is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) reconnaissance drone developed for France by EADS (now part of Airbus) in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries, first flown on 9 September 2006. Derived from the IAI Heron airframe, it was France's first operational MALE UAV and flew intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions for the French Air Force from 2008 until its retirement in 2018.
Overview
Known in French service as the Système Intérimaire de Drone MALE (SIDM), the Harfang programme adapted the Israeli Heron airframe with French-selected sensors, satellite communications and a French-built ground segment, integrated by EADS (now Airbus Defence and Space). It entered French Air Force service in June 2008, filling the gap left by earlier, less capable French UAV programmes and giving France an indigenous long-endurance ISR capability while a longer-term MALE solution (eventually the Eurodrone) was developed.
Design and capabilities
The Harfang is a 9.3 m long, propeller-driven aircraft with a 16.6 m wingspan, powered by a Rotax 914F turbocharged piston engine of about 86 kW (115 hp). It has a maximum take-off weight of 1,250 kg and can carry up to 250 kg of payload, typically an electro-optical/infrared turret, synthetic aperture radar or signals-intelligence package. Endurance is around 24 hours, giving an effective range of about 1,000 km via satellite datalink, at a service ceiling of 7,620 m.
Operational history
The French Air Force operated the Harfang over Afghanistan from 2009, over Libya during the 2011 NATO intervention, and over Mali from 2013 in support of Operation Serval, as well as for homeland-security surveillance in mainland France following the 2015 Paris attacks. France retired its Harfang fleet from operational service in early 2018 as it transitioned to the MQ-9 Reaper, and transferred remaining airframes to Morocco's Royal Moroccan Air Force in 2020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the Harfang?
The Harfang has an endurance of about 24 hours, giving an effective satellite-relayed operational range of roughly 1,000 km.
What aircraft is the Harfang based on?
It is a French-adapted derivative of the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron, integrated by EADS (now Airbus) with French sensors and satellite communications.
Is the Harfang still in service?
No. France retired its Harfang fleet in early 2018; the surviving aircraft were transferred to Morocco in 2020.
Where was the Harfang used operationally?
The French Air Force flew Harfangs over Afghanistan (from 2009), Libya (2011), Mali (from 2013) and for domestic surveillance in France.
Who makes the Harfang?
EADS, now part of Airbus, integrated the airframe with Israel Aerospace Industries, which supplied the underlying Heron design.
