U(C)AV ontwikkelingen

[Parera]

European MALE RPAS completes design definition phase

Airbus and its partners have completed the design definition phase of the European medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) remotely piloted air system (RPAS), with the announcement of the successful conclusion of the preliminary design review (PDR) on 13 December.

The PDR, which was passed on 22 November, ends the definition study contract signed on 26 August 2016 and clears the way for the launch of the development phase in early 2019. A prototype first flight is expected in early 2023, with delivery of the first system in about 2025.

Managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), the European MALE RPAS, also known as the EuroMALE, is being developed by Germany (Airbus), France (Dassault), Italy (Leonardo), and Spain (Airbus). It was recently disclosed that the Czech Republic (Aero Vodochody) will also partner on the project.

A full-sized mock-up revealed at the ILA Berlin Airshow earlier this year showed the unmanned aircraft to be slightly larger in size than the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper, with a twin pusher-propeller configuration. The model on display was shown with a single electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor. Although intended primarily as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) vehicle, there will be an option for it to be armed.

[Source: Janes.com ]

[Sparkplug]

Australia selects Reaper for armed UAV requirement

https://www.janes.com/article/84635/australia-selects-reaper-for-armed-uav-requirement

Australia selects Reaper for Project Air 7003 requirement

https://www.janes.com/article/84640/australia-selects-reaper-for-project-air-7003-requirement

[Parera]

Naval Group and Dutch Company Atmos UAV sign LoI for VTOL UAV

The Dutch company Atmos UAV has been selected by Naval Group for the testing of its innovative fixed-wing VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) UAV solution for evaluation purposes. With this agreement, Naval Group deepens its existing commitments to the Dutch innovative industry building and expanding existing relationships with more than 70 companies and knowledge centers.



On the occasion of the 30th edition of NIDV, the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security exhibition held in Rotterdam, both companies have signed an agreement to explore a preliminary phase of the technology in the frame of a comprehensive UAV testing and integration program.

As a reputed surface and submarine vessels and combat systems integrator, Naval Group is very proud to announce this partnership with Atmos UAV. Atmos UAV is specialised in innovative UAV solutions, and their fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing solution presents key operational opportunities for navies.

"We are grateful leveraging the best innovative capabilities in The Netherlands, relying on a rich network of partners. New capabilities such as UAVs will play a key role in future operational requirements, and we believe that by testing them at a very early stage, Naval Group will be able to offer cutting-edge solutions to its international customers", Mark van Rooij, Naval Group Netherlands CEO said.

"The design philosophy behind our technology is to create a platform that can be deployed from practically any location without compromising the high performance of a fixed wing", says Sander Hulsman, Atmos UAV CEO. "As this capability has key benefits for deployment in marine environments we are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with Naval Group. The environmental commitments of the group towards 2018-2020, make this partnership even more meaningful to us."

As a first step of this partnership, the two partners will closely work together to further detail and finalize the development plan of integrating Atmos UAVs capabilities in the operational environment of Naval Group's systems.

[source: Navy Recognition ]

https://www.atmosuav.com

[Jooop]

Waarom was the Talarion project gecancelled?

Hoop dat het de RPAS maar beter gaat

[Parera]

Spanje dus 15 stuks, de Duitsers hebben eerder aangegeven er zelf 21 aan te kopen daarmee lopen de aantallen goed omhoog. Het is afwachten wat Frankrijk en Italië gaan doen qua aantallen maar ik zeg; KLU inzetten op 8 stuks van de plank kopen.

[Parera]

Spain sets out European MALE RPAS procurement plan



The Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire Español: EdAE) has said it is to acquire 15 of the new European medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) remotely piloted air systems (RPASs) being developed by a pan-European consortium.

Planned for entry into service in the mid-2020s, the MALE RPAS is a joint project between Germany (Airbus), France (Dassault), Italy (Leonardo), and Spain (Airbus).

An EdAE spokesperson confirmed the Spanish proposals on 7 November. While no timetable has yet been drawn up, the first aircraft are expected to arrive in Spain from 2026 onwards.

To avoid a capability gap while it waits for the new European MALE RPAS, the air force is to be equipped with the General Atomics Reaper MQ-9 Predator B. The first two are due to arrive in February 2019 with a second pair set for delivery in October 2019.

[Source: Janes.com ]

[Jooop]

Turkey, Indonesia support UAV collaboration
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
15 August 2018

Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) has expanded its engagement with Indonesian aerospace and defence companies in a bid to support collaboration on programmes including a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project.

TAI said in a statement that it held a workshop in Jakarta on 14 August with local aerospace and defence companies "regarding possible co-operation on several upcoming bilateral opportunities such as a UAV tender for the Indonesian Ministry of Defence".

TAI confirmed that in bidding for the UAV programme it is offering its MALE Anka UAV. TAI added that it is "ready to fine-tune" the Anka system "to satisfy the requirements of the Indonesian end-user through integrating ... Indonesian suppliers into its supply chain".

However, TAI also said that collaboration opportunities will not be limited to the Anka. "It will be a sustainable, long-term, win-win relationship," it said, "in which all parties will find opportunities to advance their business goals in local and global markets in the medium [term]."

Earlier this year, Arie Wibowo, director of production at state-owned Indonesian aerospace company, PT Dirgantara (PTDI), told Jane's that PTDI and TAI were close to formalising an agreement to collaborate on developing the Anka UAV to meet the requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU).

Wibowo said the project would facilitate technology transfers from Turkey to Indonesia to support joint development and localised manufacturing. He added that once the terms of the collaborative partnership had been established PTDI and TAI would build fully operational prototypes within 12 months.

Wibowo added that when the programme enters mass production other Indonesian aerospace companies would enter the supply chain, although the scope of such engagement would depend on the how many Anka systems the TNI-AU required.

https://www.janes.com/article/82381/turkey-indonesia-support-uav-collaboration

[Parera]

Airbus and New Zealand to Develop UAV

New Airbus agreement to develop capability in Unmanned Aircraft & space data tech

Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods has welcomed a new agreement with Europe's largest aeronautics and space company, Airbus, committing to work together to develop capability in New Zealand's emerging Unmanned Aircraft (UA) and space data technology sectors.

The Letter of Intent, between Airbus and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), sets out a commitment to seek opportunities for Airbus to test and trial its UA technologies in New Zealand, and to work together to support the development and adoption of new and innovative space data technologies and applications.

"Airbus has committed to collaborate on innovation challenges that combine UA and space data technologies. These challenges will generate solutions for real problems, catalyse innovation and increase our R&D capabilities in UAs and space data technologies and applications," says Minister Megan Woods.

"Airbus is an international leader in innovation, with deep knowledge and great access to data and specific technical tools – all things that we can leverage to build our own R&D capabilities.

"Airbus is already building strong connections within our innovation and space ecosystems, including a recent agreement that establishes the Centre of Space Science Technology in Alexandra as the primary provider of Airbus satellite data and products in New Zealand.

"Attracting R&D investment and activity in areas like new space and advanced aviation technologies are key priorities for Innovative Partnerships as there is huge potential for New Zealand to be at the forefront of these rapidly developing sectors," says Woods.

The Letter of Intent is another success for Innovative Partnerships. Earlier this year, both Zephyr Airworks and LeoLabs credited the programme as part of the reason they are undertaking R&D in New Zealand.

[Source https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-airbus-agreement-develop-capability-unmanned-aircraft-space-data-tech ]

[Parera]

Via twitter.com @GarethJennings3

Luftwaffe speaker at @SMi_Group #AirborneISR conference in London referring to @northropgrumman MQ-4C #Triton UAS as the #Pegasus. Stands for PErsistent German Airborne SUrveillance System. I've not heard that name before, but standing by to be told it's old news...

Kan de KM / KLU hier nog bij aansluiten aub? Alvast als opstart naar een nieuwe generatie MPA's voor Nederland 

[Sparkplug]

[Sparkplug]

Reaper UAV scores first air-to-air kill during USAF trial

https://www.janes.com/article/83187/reaper-uav-scores-first-air-to-air-kill-during-usaf-trial

[Sparkplug]

MBDA unveils Spectre combat UAV concept

https://www.janes.com/article/83133/mbda-unveils-spectre-combat-uav-concept

[Parera]

USAF auto-lands MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper for first time

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-auto-lands-mq-9-block-5-reaper-for-first-time-452008/

Mooi, de KLU krijgt ook block 5's.

[Sparkplug]

USAF auto-lands MQ-9 Block 5 Reaper for first time

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-auto-lands-mq-9-block-5-reaper-for-first-time-452008/

[Harald]