Israeli firm wants to convert commercial ships into floating drone bases

Elbit Systems, an Israeli company, has unveiled a new concept to convert commercial ships into floating bases for its Hermes 650 Spark unmanned aircraft. These converted vessels would carry 9-12 drones, along with necessary infrastructure and control systems, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional aircraft carriers for extended maritime reach. The Hermes 650 Spark features a front-mounted engine for short takeoff and landing, heavier payloads, and longer missions, and is compatible with the ground control infrastructure of the larger Hermes 900 drone. This setup would allow ships to serve as remote launch and recovery sites, reducing manpower and control station requirements. Elbit cited examples like Japan, Denmark, and Germany as potential beneficiaries, and noted its appeal for Israel in monitoring offshore gas platforms against various threats. The company aims to position itself against competitors like Turkey's Baykar and South Korea's Hanwha by offering this new operational packaging for an existing system.