There's no let up in sight for new unmanned aircraft to make their showing at major aerospace trade events, and this year's Le Bourget will be no different. For instance, EADS plans to showcase its new Advanced UAV System concept, which has just been unveiled. There's a local link for Le Bourget, the French part of EADS is now on-board, too -- the German arm of the company has been behind the program longer. Additionally, with the effective demise of the EuroMale program, which the French government had long been promoting, there's a chance of larger French involvement. So far, governments aren't, yet, financially behind the concept, but there's a move afoot to get multi-national funding. The Advanced UAV System embraces a modular build approach, with different wings and payloads depending on the mission operators want to undertake. Others, also, are looking to showcase new UAVs at Le Bourget, notably the Israeli contingent, which has a long track record in this field. Israeli firms plan to show several smaller systems, but there are rumors the largest unmanned vehicle the country has ever built could be in Paris, too. No doubt, several other concepts will see first light in the various halls and pavilions. No UAVs will be flying, though, that's still not something authorities will agree to.
Comments