Voodoo, a new high-speed, free-flying target, developed by Meggitt Defence Systems (Hall 3, D8 and Chalet C12-13), has been snapped up by AIDC of Taiwan. Taiwan will order an initial six targets, the first of which will be delivered at the end of this year for service entry in early 2003.
Voodoo, capable of flying up to 350kt (650km/h) at altitudes from 15ft (4.5m) above sea level to 22,000ft, builds on the success of the popular Banshee, which is now in service in 40 countries.
Launched by a catapult launcher, Voodoo is capable of being controlled by existing Banshee ground stations. All payloads, enhancements and counter-measure systems fitted to Banshee are interchangeable with Voodoo which is especially suited to towing subtargets.
The development of Voodoo has enabled Meggitt to penetrate a new market segment and with a cost approximately one-third of competing high-speed targets, Meggitt is confident of gaining a significant market share over the next few years.
Voodoo's 145hp (108kW) engine is manufactured by Ilmore Engineering, provider of Formula One racing engines for Mercedes Benz
Source: Flight Daily News