EADS develops New Generation of Target Drones
Friedrichshafen, 14 August 2002
EADS is expanding its capabilities in the field of aerial target systems by developing a new generation of low-cost high-performance target drones.
As Dornier GmbH, a corporate unit of EADS, announced on Wednesday, the company has developed a family of jet-powered target drones designed to the enhanced air threat simulation requirements of the armed forces. In accordance with the results of a recently conducted study on the future requirements concerning aerial target systems, innovative technological solutions have been taken into account for the development of the DT25 and DO-DT35 target drones .
The DO-DT25 target drone, powered by two jet engines, has been designed for training with short-range air defence systems, providing a speed range up to 250 kts and high manoeuvrability with excellent visual and infrared detection. The DO-DT35 drone meets the requirements for complex threat simulation with radar-guided weapons. It provides a speed range up to 350 kts with very low costs compared to existing systems, which allows the direct engagement of the target without using unrealistic towed bodies. Besides optical, radar, infrared and laser reflectors, the drones can be equipped with the Dornier hit indicators SETA-2 and SETA-3. EADS IFF and EW systems can also be employed. Both target drones are currently subject to a qualification programme with the German armed forces and will be available on the market by the end of this year.
EADS Systems & Defence Electronics with a workforce of about 6,000 employees in Germany, France and the UK is one of the most important suppliers of defence electronics systems in Europe. It is delivering core electronic systems to major procurement programmes such as the A400M transport aircraft, Eurofighter, the Tiger helicopter and the German K130 corvette, as well as command & control systems and unmanned air vehicles (UAV). Its UAV and Target Systems unit develops and manufactures different types of tow targets, target drones, scoring sensors and combined target application capabilities for air defence live firings. Since 1988 EADS has provided continuous full-target service for complex air-threat scenarios performed on the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) in Crete.
Dornier GmbH is a corporate unit of EADS. With revenues amounting to € 30.8 billion in 2001 and more than 100,000 employees, EADS (www.eads.net) is the largest European aerospace company and Number 2 worldwide. It is involved in the sectors of civil aviation, helicopters, space technology, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds an 80 per cent stake in Airbus, 75 per cent in the space company Astrium, 100 per cent in the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, 43 per cent in the Eurofighter programme and 37.5 percent in the missile producer MBDA.
For further information:
EADS Systems & Defence Electronics
Lothar Belz
Tel.: (0731) 392 3681
Fax.: (0731) 392 3755
Email.: lothar.belz@sysde.eads.net
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