TEL AVIV (Realist English). On July 13, Israeli defense company Elbit Systems unveiled a concept that could change the perception of naval aviation. The proposal involves converting ordinary commercial vessels into “floating unmanned aviation bases” for launching and operating multiple Hermes 650 Spark drones.
Unlike traditional aircraft carriers, these platforms are designed for intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition missions, not strike operations.
What Elbit Systems Proposes
According to the project, a standard commercial container ship or bulk carrier undergoes minimal modification, after which it can carry between 9 and 12 Hermes 650 Spark drones. The vessel becomes a mobile aviation hub: it launches and recovers drones, which significantly extend the ship’s control zone beyond the range of its own radars.
This solution is not intended to replace full‑fledged aircraft carriers — it is a more accessible tool for countries that require persistent monitoring of large maritime areas. The concept could be especially valuable where traditional warships are too expensive or cannot provide the necessary patrol coverage — for example, protecting exclusive economic zones or sea lanes.
The key advantages are low cost and rapid deployment. Instead of building an expensive carrier, an existing civilian vessel can be adapted.
Hermes 650 Spark: The Concept’s Main Player
The unmanned aerial vehicle around which the entire concept is built was first unveiled at the Singapore Airshow on February 21, 2024. It is a fixed‑wing drone with a maximum takeoff weight of about 650 kg and a fuel capacity of 140 kg. Its stated endurance reaches 24 hours.
The drone can carry up to 120 kg of payload (with full fuel). Available options include electro‑optical and infrared cameras, maritime surveillance radars, electronic and communications intelligence equipment, and the SkEye wide‑area surveillance system. Control is via line‑of‑sight links up to 300 km, and via satellite link over unlimited distances.
An important feature: the Hermes 650 Spark was originally designed with maritime operations in mind. Its forward‑mounted engine, short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability, and compatibility with the Hermes 900 ground infrastructure simplify its use from unprepared decks.
Technical Challenges and Limitations
At present, the concept exists only on paper. Elbit Systems has not yet named a customer, a conversion contractor, or a timeline for implementation.
Key questions remain open: what takeoff and landing distance the drone will require in sea conditions, at what wave height operations are possible, and how the recovery system will be organised.
A serious challenge is seaworthiness: pitching, crosswinds, salt water, and corrosion impose strict demands on the equipment. Furthermore, converting a commercial vessel would require installing fuel storage, maintenance, command, and fire‑protection systems — essentially a full‑scale ship refit.
Strategic Context
Elbit Systems’ concept did not emerge in a vacuum. Since 2023, Israel has repeatedly stated that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is also converting commercial vessels into platforms for launching rockets and drones. Iran has already begun work on its own “drone carrier.” Now Israel’s defense sector is offering a mirror response — and possibly at a more technologically advanced level.
If the project is realised, it could significantly affect the balance of power at sea, especially in regions with heavy maritime traffic — from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea. Such platforms enable force dispersal, reduce the vulnerability of large carrier groups, and provide persistent surveillance over vast areas.
For now, the concept remains just that — a concept. Elbit Systems has not disclosed any potential customer or implementation timeline. However, the very fact of publicly announcing such a development signals serious interest in new forms of naval warfare, where drones and commercial ships become full‑fledged combat units.
The coming years will show whether this idea remains on the drawing board or transforms into actual vessels plying the oceans.
