EADS is exploring potential adaptation of the Eurohawk electronic intelligence (ELINT) -gathering interferometer array for use as the basis of a "Wild Weasel" unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV).
The company says it hopes to fly the array on a UCAV demonstrator around 2007, but declines to identify the likely candidate platform. EADS Military Aircraft is known to be working on a UCAV demonstrator at its Ottobrun and Manching plants in southern Germany, but has yet to release details of the project.
The company on 30 April completed emmitter location flight tests of modified Eurohawk interferometer arrays using a leased German air force Panavia Tornado, having launched the 5h, five-sortie demonstration in early February. The concept could have potential application as a high-speed electronic mapping system, it believes.
Aircraft modifications included fitting a short base phase interferometer array into the space normally occupied by the Tornado's gun and a second set of long base arrays on the leading edge of the wing nib on either side of the fuselage. An EADS-developed broadband digital receiver, which will serve as a key component of Germany's planned Eurohawk signals intelligence UAV, was mounted in the gun ammunition bay.
A solid-state data recorder and advanced mission computer were located in a pod mounted on the centre-fuselage pylon and a new colour multifunction display was installed in the cockpit to provide situational awareness.
EADS is continuing work to adapt other elements of the Eurohawk ELINT suite for use as the basis of a new electronic support measures package for large aircraft such as Airbus Military's A400M and Lockheed Martin's P-3 Orion.
Source: Flight International
