EADS has unveiled a new concept for a multi-national, modular unmanned air vehicle at the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference in Cologne. The firm is showing two configurations of the updated vehicle, a short-winged, high-subsonic tactical reconnaissance model (carrying an electro-optical/infrared payload), and a long-winged endurance system carrying a radar sensor as well. The fuselage and payloads would be common. Twin engines could ease concerns over operations in national airspace.
Target requirements: replacing Germany's reconnaissance Tornados and tactical drones, and meeting the French-led EuroMALE requirement. (In the past, EADS has proposed a version of Israel's Heron II, seen here yesterday, for EuroMALE, but this effort has lost steam.) The system could be in service by 2011.
What this system is not, EADS says, is a substitute for the Barracuda demonstrator, which rejoined its fishy friends on an early test flight last September. A follow-on to the stealthy, combat-capable Barracuda may be in the works at EADS.
--Robert Wall
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