Defence

Alenia Aeronautica's Sky-Y medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle has completed a second flight-test campaign in Sweden, with the work having demonstrated the operational capabilities of the entire system.

The UAV (below) flew six missions over the Vidsel test range in October, increasing the total number of sorties made by the type to 14 since its June 2007 flight debut.

© Alenia Aeronautica

The Sky-Y air vehicle was equipped with a Selex Galileo EOST-45 electro-optical sensor, Quadrics mission computer and a new datalink for the recent campaign, which also tested a new tactical control station using an Alenia Aeronautica-developed remote sensor operator station.

Alenia Aeronautica says first results from the new tests exceeded expectations, with the Sky-Y having flown up to 125km (68nm) away from its ground control station, and 30km within the Arctic Circle. The UAV also simulated a complete ground target search and identification mission (below), sending data to Italy in real time.

© Alenia Aeronautica