An Israeli-made Heron MK II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been spotted at Shirahama Airport in Japan during a test flight conducted by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Images shared on X by defense watcher Shiki Kuroha show the UAV, registered as 4X-NBB, fitted with electronic surveillance equipment. Under each wing, the aircraft carries electronic support measures (ESM) antennas for electronic reconnaissance.
The fuselage also features two symmetrical long gray panels, which may be part of electronic warfare or reconnaissance systems.
The Heron MK II is an advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, as well as electronic warfare roles when equipped with the appropriate payloads.
The appearance of the aircraft in Wakayama Prefecture comes amid growing interest from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in large reconnaissance and attack UAVs. Japan is currently evaluating the Heron MK II alongside the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 as part of a wider study into expanding its unmanned aerial capabilities.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries is playing a key role in the testing, which may extend beyond simple flight evaluation. Industry observers suggest Kawasaki’s involvement could include systems integration, operational testing, and potentially the development of a domestic variant tailored to Japan’s defense requirements.
The Heron MK II seen at Shirahama was also accompanied by ground support equipment, including a Kawasaki MULE towing vehicle, highlighting the integration of Japanese logistical support assets in the trial.
With regional tensions high and advances in drone warfare shaping modern conflicts, Tokyo is looking to field systems that can operate effectively in electronic warfare environments and in coordination with manned aircraft.