Intelligence

Successful test flight series demonstrates capabilities of "Eagle" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Farnborough, 22 Juli 2002

EADS has achieved a further success in positionning its Systems & Defence Electronics (S&DE) business unit as the leading european supplier in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

As the company announced on the 20th July, the EAGLE MALE (Medium Altitude & Long Endurance) observation UAV has just successfully completed a 6-flight test campaign with the Swedish Armed Forces and Space Agency (SSC).

Operating from Kiruna Base (next to the Arctic Circle), this UAV demonstrated its capability to fly within civilian airspace, its suitability for the detection of land targets, as well as its usefulness for scientific research.

“Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for strategic surveillance and reconnaissance are growing importance for military missions and crisis prevention”, explained Stefan Zoller, President and CEO of EADS Systems and Defence Electronics. “Therefore, the success of “Eagle” confirms our leading position in a key growth area of the defence and security market

The purpose of five test flights was to test the operation of the UAV's various systems, among them its Swedish-built identification system (IFF VDL Mode 4). Following its take-off from Kiruna, the drone had to follow a reserved airway before manoeuvring at various heights in the vicinity of Vidsel and Esrange. Once arrived in its work zone, Eagle quickly detected and identified several land targets located around Vidsel, this thanks to its TV/infrared imagery sensors and to its SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). During the flights, the collected data were transmitted in real time by secure data link simultaneously to the Kiruna and Stockholm reception stations. A five-hour demonstration flight for the Swedish scientific community was included in the test series.

The development of the Eagle MALE UAV was launched by EADS to meet the airborne intelligence requirements of the French and foreign forces. It can also be quickly adapted to perform missions for governmental and scientific agencies.

It stands out by its robust airframe, its secure data links, its redundant systems providing maximum reliability, and its payloads adapted to the users' needs.

EAGLE Missions : Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), targeting, scientific research.

* Span : 16.3 m
* Length : 8.94 m
* MTOW : 1,150 kg
* Altitude : 25000 feet
* Speed : 125 ktas
* Endurance : 30 h
* Sensors : Multi-mode SAR, TV and infrared sensors, laser designator and SIGINT payloads.

Systems & Defence Electronics, a business unit of EADS, with a workforce of about 6000 employees in France, Germany and the UK, is one of the most important suppliers of defence electronics in Europe. It is delivering core electronic systems to major procurement programs such as the A400M transport aircraft, Eurofighter, the Tiger helicopter and the German K130 corvettes, as well as command & control and drone systems.

With revenues amounting to EUR 30,8 billion (2001) and more than 100 000 employees, EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is the largest aerospace and defence company in Europe and number two worldwide.

Press Contact :

Patrick Brunet
Phone : 33 (0) 1 34 63 70 79 Fax : 33 (0) 1 34 63 73 77
Email : patrick.brunet@sysde.eads.net

EADS Systems & Defence Electronics
6, rue Dewoitine BP 14
78142 Vélizy Villacoublay Cedex - France