TIM RIPLEY
France is expected to sign a contract this month to buy the Israeli Heron strategic reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to transform the country's ability to monitor world crisis zones. The breath through export deal for the Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Malat Division was won against stiff competition from American competitors. Colonel Dominique Colas, French air force programme manager for medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAVs, says the contract is "due to be signed in June" with delivery 21 months later. Speaking at the European Unmanned Vehicles Systems Association UAV 2001 Conference, Col Colas says the UAV will have a surveillance and reconnaissance mission in support of theatre air commanders during crisis management operations or conflicts. It will also conduct strike support using a laser designator to guide precision munitions to their targets. This version of the Heron will have a 12h endurance and a range at 550nm (1,000km) from base, he says. It will be controlled by a satellite, via a large antenna from the nose of the aircraft. France is buying three air vehicles and variety of payloads. These include the IAI Elta EL/M-2055 synthetic aperture radar with a moving target indicator to allow targets to be monitored at night or in bad weather across wide areas. IAI's Taman Division is providing its Multi-Mission Optical Stabilized Payload (MOSP), which includes daytime television, forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) night vision sensors and a laser range finder. The air vehicle is also provided with an automatic take-off and landing system. Col Colas says this UAV will fulfil France¹s requirement for an interim MALE UAV for the remainder of the decade until its Future MALE enters service. Development of this UAV is soon to be initiated, he says. The sale of the Heron to the French Air Force is being managed via the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, using the brand name Eagle 1.
Source: Flight Daily News
