Selex Galileo's (outdoor exhibits 1/2) Falco unmanned air system will be delivered to a second customer this year. The Pakistan air force, which has never been officially identified by Selex Galileo, received the first system in 2007, and is successfully operating it as a tactical medium altitude unmanned platform.
"The Falco UAS capabilities have already been operationally demonstrated to the new customer, located in the Middle East region," says Antonello Mangogna, Selex Galileo vice-president, UAS and simulators.
"To be delivered before the end of 2010, this will be the first system which could feature Selex Galileo's complete sensor suite, together with operator training," Mangogna adds.
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Developed to accept a wide range of Selex Galileo and other companies' payloads, the Falco is attracting interest from a number of potential customers, being able to accommodate up to a 70kg [155lb] payload and offering an endurance of 14h.
"Selex Galileo has already completed the preliminary study activities for the enhanced Falco Evo version, with larger wings, airframe and up-rated engine, which offers longer endurance with higher mission payload capabilities at a comparable price of a tactical UAS," says Mangogna.
"Optimised configurations for both current and Falco Evo baselines will offer a reduced operational and logistics footprint, allowing a complete 4-UAV system to be transported and deployed with one C-130 flight. We are currently looking for a launch customer to start the development and testing phase of the EVO, with further capability enhancements to be introduced at a later stage," he adds.
Source: Flight Daily News
