EADS used the Unmanned Systems Europe 2004 conference to disclose more details of its developmental Carapas multi-mission tactical unmanned air vehicle and to release further information on the Tracker hand-launched mini-UAV.
In the early stages of development to demonstrate technologies supporting the French army's multi-sensor, multi-mission UAV requirement, the high-speed Carapas design uses a multi-payload concept. An initial mission package will comprise an electro-optic/infrared sensor.
The UAV is a further development of the Galileo Avionica Mirach 100/5 target drone and it will make its first flight within the next 18 months. The system will prove "the first step towards meeting third-generation army theatre UAV missions", said Patrick Oswald, vice-president TUAV systems for EADS Defence and Communication Systems on 7 May.
EADS also plans to integrate an electronic support-measures and electronic intelligence payload with the air vehicle to detect hostile emitters on the future battlefield. It will also equip the TUAV design with a datalink to relay this information in real time, says Oswald.
The air vehicle will have a maximum operating speed of M0.65, a 600km (325nm) range and a payload of 60kg (132lb), he says.
Powered by two electric engines, the Tracker has a twin-tailboom configuration and provides an endurance of up to 2h carrying a two-axis day/night television camera payload above its fuselage.
The lightweight design, which is being promoted to meet a French armed forces requirement, was flown three times last year, including one demonstration flight for the UK's Joint UAV Experimentation Programme office.
Source: Flight International
