Last year, BAE Systems took the wraps off the work it had secretly been doing on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Barely 12 months later, the British-based company has used Aero India 2007 to internationally debut the first vehicle it is proposing for sale.

The company is using the show to position its High Endurance Rapid Technology Insertion (HERTI) vehicle for Indian requirements over the next five to 10 years in land, coastal and even maritime roles, said BAE’s Herman Claesen, the business development executive at the company’s Autonomous Systems & Future Capability (Air) section.

“We are trying to open up export markets and India is one of the biggest operators of UAVs in the world,” said Claesen. “In part, though, this is about making people aware BAE now has UAVs in its portfolio of products.”

The BAE executive says there are opportunities emerging in the United Kingdom and Asia for HERTI as it seeks its first order.

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