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Defence

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This is an important milestone for Airbus DS Airborne Solutions (ADAS): As part of the Frontex operation in Malta, the Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Heron 1 reached the mark of 10,000 flight hours.

 The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex awarded ADAS in 2025 for the second time with a four-year contract for maritime surveillance services over Central and Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Such services are being conducted with Heron 1, a medium-altitude and long-endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) provided by ADAS long-term partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).The full turnkey solution services are being delivered from Malta and Crete, Greece.

 It should be pointed out that these agreed services from Malta have been fulfilled in the last five years with only one UAS. Despite this limited resource, flight operations were maintained continuously. With this milestone, ADAS confirms its performance in the operation of complex UAS missions under real-world operating conditions.

 The operation was characterized by challenging conditions. These included long missions at sea, several phases of adverse weather conditions, as well as operating from an international airport and operating in international airspace – all of which require a high degree of professionalism, coordination and flight operational precision.

 "This success underlines the high reliability of the system as well as the commitment and expertise of the teams involved," says Ralf Hastedt, ADAS Managing Director Sales and Business Development. This milestone would not have been possible without the commitment and professionalism of ADAS employees on site and the supporting teams in the background.