Elbit Systems has announced that its UK company with Thales UK - UAS Tactical Systems (U-TacS) has been awarded by Thales UK a follow-on Urgent Operating Capability (UOR) contract worth approximately $70 million to provide an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) support capability for the UK Armed Forces.

The contract will be performed over the next one and a half years.

As was the case with the previous U-TacS UOR contracts, awarded in 2007 and 2009, this contract also includes the provision and support of Hermes 450 UAS systems, as well as training for UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) staff in the use and maintenance of the system, and the provision of contractor logistic support (CLS) and program management services.

This work will be managed by U-TacS located in Leicester, UK.

The President and CEO of Elbit Systems, Joseph Ackerman said: "Hermes 450 continues to make a significant contribution to UK operations, under very demanding circumstances, achieving exceptionally high levels of operational availability".

U-TacS is held 51% by Elbit Systems with the balance being owned by Thales UK.