An unmanned aerial vehicle developed and manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) had crossed the Andes in a landmark demonstration flight held last month in a South American country, the company disclosed Tuesday.

An IAI spokesman said an upgraded version of the Heron family drone was pushed to its limits by flying upwards of 500 kilometers (310 mi.) over the course of several days, at altitudes of more than 25,000 feet. and under extreme weather conditions typical to the Andes, including swirling winds and thick fog.

The drone, designed for long-range reconnaissance and surveillance missions, was fitted with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), electro-optical payload for day and night use and a communication intelligence system for the demonstration, according to a company statement.

The statement did not detail the country in which the demonstration was held or whether a deal to purchase the drone is underway.

Company officials, however, described the demonstration flight as "a new achievement," noting that it attested to the Heron's ruggedness and compatibility with changing conditions. The drone is already operational in several South American countries, including Ecuador, where it has been used for maritime missions in recent years. It is also active in the Himalayas, where it is routinely deployed under extreme conditions, such as taking off and landing on runways at heights of 11,000 ft.

The Heron is the Israeli Air Force's flagship drone, and has been sold to 20 militaries worldwide, among them NATO members who use it extensively in Afghanistan and, until recently, in Iraq.

IAI said it plans to continue upgrading the craft's capabilities and usher in a new age of technology. The state-owned company is developing the New Generation (NG) Heron, which is slated to include new satellite communication technologies, an advanced engine, and improved aerodynamic performance, among others features.