FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
2001
2001 - 0403.PDF
u/W monitored by nations interested in deploying maritime systems, including the long-standing NATO Project Group 35 effort exploring* options for a potential common UAV solution for allied navies. While extensively delayed because of technical difficulties with the demonstration air vehicle, sea-based trials of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) Seamos VTUAV are expected to proceed over the next two years. Depending on the respective maturity demon strated by both Firescout and Seamos, a market for maritime VTUAVs could emerge around 2005, providing a much needed boost for other vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) pro grammes, including Bell Helicopter's Eagle Eye tilt rotor, Sikorsky's Cypher and Boeing's Canard Rotor Wing. Broader NATO interest in developing a co ordinated approach between member nation programmes is also expected to shape market directions in the medium to long term, although key decisions on common requirements could be made between April and August. Lead project activities are expected to emphasise high-altitude enduranceXHAE)UAVs. The NATO effort is likely to act as a focal point for a range ofrpotential HAE programmes in France, Germany and the UK during the second half of the decade. Germany has been actively exploring the potential of both manned and •iinmanned endurance systems since the late 1980s, with current research and planning activ ities expected to shift into a definition and devel opment phase late next year or in early 2003. French interest in both MAE and FLAE UAVs was significantly stepped up by lessons learned in operations over Kosovo. The French air force is preparing to select an MAE system inthefirsthalf of this year. The competition pits the EADS Eagle, a variant of the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Heron, against Sagem's Horus; a modified General Atomics Predator; and Silver Arrow's Hermes 1500. The requirement calls for a total of five systems to enter operational service late next year. UK interest in long-endurance systems is still being defined as part of ongoing Project Extender studies* but may impact the emerging Watchkeeper requirement, with a number of contenders having previously flagged interest in offering MAE solutions. The Watchkeeper sys tem is intended to enter service in the 2006-8 timeframe, with consideration also being given to a maritime surveillance role. Broader markets Outside of NATO, attention will focus less on endurance capability and more on new tactical- level programmes, particularly for first time UAV users. Such programmes are also likely to include strong requirements for domestic development, with UAVs seen as a comparatively low-cost way for many nations to enter the aerospace sector. Israeli UAV manufacturers have dominated these markets for more than a decade, with nations benefiting from commercial and govern ment-to-government links including India, Singapore and South Africa. In the case of India, the Israeli relationship has evolved to include exploration of medium- and medium/high-alti tude endurance systems based around IAI's Heron. India signed a combined Searcher and Heron purchase deal last June. Israel itself continues to explore a range of future applications for vehicles in the Heron class and above, particularly to tackle the continuing problem of locating and destroying mobile mis sile launchers. Key areas of technology develop ment include airborne radar surveillance, low- observable features and on-board artificial intel ligence systems. The costs associated with their development are likely to drive Israeli firms into seeking longer term international relationships to offset costs. France's looming MAE decision has particular significance in this respect. Israel's technical co-operation activities with China have previously been identified as poten tially including UAVs, though no firm evidence has yet emerged. China continues to explore A FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL SUPPLEMENT 30 January - 5 February 2001 23
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
