'Bluey' the Heron - Credit: SGT W. Guthrie Copyright: Commonwealth of Australia
The Heron is set to continue service with the ADF in Afghanistan, after Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced a contract extension until the end of 2012.
Currently operated by the RAAF’s 5 Flight with personnel from the RAAF and Australian Army, the Kandahar based Heron provides aerial support and surveillance in support of Australian and coalition operations in Afghanistan.
The federal government originally signed the Heron contract with Canadian firm MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates in 2009.
Source: Australian Aviation