Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems (ESLT 0.59%) is expanding its relationship with the Brazilian Air Force, the company announced in a press release Wednesday.
Already one of only a handful of countries to have purchased Elbit's medium-sized (150 kg) Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle (Brazil is believed to have as many as five Hermes 450 UAVs in its arsenal), the Brazilian Air Force has contracted with Elbit to sell it the larger (300 kg) Hermes 900 UAV for use in conducting "safety and security missions" during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Games in Brazil.
Brazil's new UAV system will not only be larger than its existing Elbit products, but will boast longer airborne endurance, a larger payload, the ability "to operate in adverse weather," and to fly at altitudes up to 30,000 feet.
Delivery of the new robotic plane is expected to take place within two months.
No price was disclosed for this sales contract, but in its statement, Elbit noted that the value of the single Hermes 900 being sold is "not material" to the company. In 2012, the sale of multiple Hermes 450 and 900 aircraft to Colombia generated only $10 million in sales for Elbit.
