UAVs

Use of software and hardware simulation modelling to shorten time to market is the focus of the three-year, $19.2 million European Union Sixth Framework research project, Speculative and Exploratory Design in Systems Engineering (SPEEDS).

The modelling will be aimed at increasing development speed for complex systems such as satellites, civilian unmanned air vehicles, radars and advanced electronics. Software will be modelled before any code is written and hardware simulated before anything is built.

While SPEEDS is co-ordinated by Airbus Deutschland, Israel is the project’s technical leader. Israel will seek to reduce development times for a communication satellite’s master computer and a civilian UAV control system. “IAI will receive a $1.7 million grant under the programme. We look forward to collaborating with our European partners,” says Israel Aircraft Industries’ corporate research and development directorate head Michael Winokur.