Elbit Systems Ltd. has been awarded a framework contract for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) maritime patrol services to be provided by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to countries in the European Union.

The contract, which will be executed in cooperation with a Portuguese company, CeiiA, is for a two-year base period and two single-year option periods. If fully ordered, the total contract value is €59m.

Elbit Systems will lease and operate its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol and its Ground Control Station. The aircraft will feature maritime radar, an Electro Optic payload, Satellite Communication and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver.

The Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol is designed to ensure persistent monitoring of vast swathes of sea and long coastlines and effective identification of suspicious activities and potential hazards.

This contract is one of four remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) service trials currently being conducted by EMSA in Europe with different contractors.

It is part of a portfolio of RPAS services which EMSA is offering to EU Member States and other EU Agencies, such as Frontex and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), with which EMSA is working in the context of Coast Guard Cooperation.

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is conducting its own programme to evaluate RPAS capabilities for border control.