Israeli manufacturer Innocon has joined forces with Finnish aerial target company Avartek to compete for a Finnish army contract for up to 45 mini unmanned air systems.

The companies are offering Innocon's Micro Falcon system, which has been rebranded the AT-11 for the Finnish requirement.

Helsinki is seeking the delivery of between 30 and 45 systems through its surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance programme, which is worth around $25 million.

Among numerous other contenders for the deal are the Aeronautics Orbiter, BlueBird SpyLite, EADS DRAC, Elbit Systems Skylark and Israel Aerospace Industries EyeView-650.

Industry sources suggest that the army will narrow its competitive field in March, with four competitors to be invited to demonstrate the capabilities of their candidate systems during April.

Source: Flight International