At the Paris Air Show 2009, EADS Defense & Security (DS) presents the mock-up of the the latest unmanned aerial system: the Advanced UAV, the proposed Franco-German-Spanish UAV program for the development and production of a fully autonomous system for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. On the occasion of the debut of the full-scale model, DS announced the brand name “Talarion”, derived from the winged sandals of Hermes in the Greek mythology, enabling him to fly over great distances and faster than anyone.
Talarion, with it’s 27,90 m wing span, is a joint endeavor of DS in France, Germany and Spain. The modular UAV is based upon the results of a comprehensive risk reduction study, which was concluded in May this year. Given a governmental go-ahead for development in 2009, the maiden flight of “Talarion” would be in 2013, and with first series deliveries in 2015. The industry proposal to the three partner nations contains six Talarion systems for France and Germany each, and three for Spain, respectively. One system consists of three Talarion units plus ground segment. In addition to the three partner nations, there is also an growing interest on the advanced UAV program Talarion in the international markets.
Talarion is the European program for advanced, twin-jet ISTAR solutions with a unique modular sensor / payload philosophy, providing customers unlimited control of their missions and the data obtained therein.
Military Air Systems is an integrated activity of EADS Defense & Security (DS). DS is a systems solutions provider for armed forces and civil security worldwide. Its portfolio ranges from sensors and secure networks through missiles to aircraft and UAVs as well as global security, service and support solutions. In 2008, DS – with around 23,000 employees – achieved revenues of € 5.7 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of € 43.3 billion and employed a workforce of about 118,000.
