EADS to Develop Family of Modular High-Performance UAV

EADS, PARIS: Today, the defence ministries of France, Germany and Spain announced that they have decided to move ahead with the joint project planning and development of a future trinational modular system family of jet-powered high performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 
 
A “Technical Arrangement”, as the document has been designated, provides the basis for a subsequent study, the task of which is to consolidate the capability requirements of the armed forces of the partner nations in the area of unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance systems and propose appropriate technical solutions. 
 
“This decision is an important milestone to realize a future-oriented and truly European military programme,” said Stefan Zoller, member of the EADS Executive Committee for Defence & Security. “It also paves the way for the implementation of a modular advanced UAV concept that efficiently closes identified capability gaps while at the same time immensely improving force interoperability in this future-oriented field.” 
 
Autonomously operating UAVs propelled by jet turbines are suitable both for future long endurance wide-area surveillance scenarios and for high-speed low altitude reconnaissance flights over combat zones. In both cases, the vehicle's jet propulsion unit ensures that the required flight performance and on-board energy supply for the operation of powerful sensors and data links are achieved.  
 
Defence & Security is a systems solutions provider combining military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions, sensor and avionics systems, as well as test and support solutions into a single effective network. In 2006, DS – with its around 23,000 employees – achieved revenues of EUR 5.9 billion. 
 
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of EUR 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000.