Official media reported today, Monday, that an "Israeli drone was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in the region of the Tuffah area in southern Lebanon." Hezbollah announced in a statement the "downing of an Israeli Hermes 900 drone with air defense weapons."
The "Hermes 900" is the latest drone that officially entered service in the Israeli army in 2017, and it was used for the first time in its war against Gaza in 2014. During the war on the Gaza Strip from 2023 to 2024, the specifications and characteristics of the drone are as follows:
- Weight: 1,180 kilograms
- Payload capacity: 350 kilograms
- Flight duration: 36 hours
- Maximum altitude: 30,000 feet
- Speed: up to 220 kilometers per hour
The Hermes 900 drone can carry 4 air-to-ground missiles of the "AGM-114 Hellfire" type, or air-to-air missiles of the "AIM-92 Stinger" type used to intercept aircraft and drones. The drone has the capability to carry laser-guided bombs such as the "GBU-12 Paveway" or similar JDAM bombs used to target locations, conduct attacks, execute engagements, and carry out high-profile operations.
According to Radar.am, the cost of the Hermes 900 drone is $25 million. Earlier, the Israeli army stated, "Four drones launched from Lebanon toward Israel, with two being intercepted and two crashing in the Kabri area."
