Agreement for the development of a European drone

19/05/14

European industry is ready to develop a new generation UAS (European Unmanned Aerial System), called MALE2020.

Eleven months after the first declaration in favor of the development of a European drone, presented at the 2013 Paris Air Show, the three main aeronautical companies in Europe have now completed a first phase of project definition and established further details for a common approach.

Airbus Defense and Space, Dassault Aviation and Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, have delivered a proposal to the defense ministries of France, Germany and Italy to carry out a program for a European UAS. The offer includes a Project Definition Phase, already developed by joint development teams from Airbus Defense and Space, Dassault Aviation and Alenia Aermacchi and supported by an industrial agreement between the three companies for the division of investments and work to launch the MALE2020 program. 

The Definition Phase requires that the three nations develop, in collaboration with their respective air forces and European industry, their requirements for the development of a European UAS. The Definition Phase will also serve to avoid additional development costs during the next Production Phase and to minimize technical and financial risks. Following the finalization of this Definition Phase, the nations will then be called upon to agree on the further development phases of a European UAS: the industry plan indicates that a reliable and certifiable solution could be ready for the 2020.

Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, said: "We have reached an important milestone for the development of a European MALE drone whose need for our armed forces is unquestionable. We are strongly motivated to carry on negotiations with the ministries of defense and we hope to soon be able to launch this first phase of the program. "

Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, said: "This is a unique opportunity to develop this strategic resource in Europe. For the first time, with the MALE2020 program, the industry starts a project with a full agreement regarding the general division of responsibilities. The proposal for the Definition Phase was drawn up by a joint design team, demonstrating our industry's strong commitment to this program. "

Giuseppe Giordo, CEO of Alenia Aermacchi, said: "We see a clear opportunity for air forces to use an autonomous surveillance system capable of responding to the operational requirements of the future. This is the time to push technology beyond current levels and thus guarantee Europe's ability to develop a new generation of aircraft defense systems while maintaining the current high level of talent and experience within our industry. "

Many European nations have long defined a requirement for advanced remote piloting systems. The same results of the European Defense Summit held in December of the 2013 make a clear reminder of an urgent need for this kind of system. The conclusions of the European Council recognize the development of a category UAL MALE, Medium Altitude Long Endurance, as the main resource for the European defense of the future.

In light of the growing dependence of European states on extra-European production defense equipment, the main European aeronautical companies, last June, launched a joint request to support the capacities developed within European companies and, therefore, to sovereignty of the continent in relation to the realization of future defense air systems.

The decision-making times for the launch of a European UAS have been identified as fundamental for achieving the objective.

The main producers of European defense air systems therefore continue on the common path of a UAS MALE program (medium altitude - long range), as proposed at the Paris Aeronautical Exhibition in the 2013. The three partners firmly believe in the value of their proposal and are ready to proceed.

BACKGROUND ON THE MALE 2020 PROGRAMThe MALE 2020 Project foresees the development of a European remote piloted air system for long-term missions and medium quotas (MALE). In addition to being a response to the requirements of the European armed forces, the project will take into consideration the need to optimize the sharing of funds for research and development to cope with the contingent budget reduction. With a completely European development, the critical requirements for drone certification will be part of the program from the beginning. The MALE 2020 Project is aimed at promoting the development of advanced technologies by helping to support the highest skills and jobs in the aeronautics industry in Europe.

Airbus Defense and SpaceAirbus Defense and Space is a division of the Airbus Group that brings together the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is the leading aerospace company in Europe, the second largest space company in the world and among the ten largest companies in the world of defense. With approximately 40,000 employees, it has a turnover of around 14 billion per year.

Dassault AviationWith more than 8,000 aircraft between military and civilians delivered in 83 countries over the last 60 years and about 28 millions of hours flown, Dassault Aviation has built a worldwide recognized experience in terms of design, development, sales and support of all the types of aircraft, from the Rafale fighter to the high-end Falcon family business jet, to military drones. In 2013 Dassault Aviation recorded sales for 4.59 billion, and has about 11,600 employees.

Alenia AermacchiAlenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica group company, plays a leading role in the global civil and defense aviation industry, employs over 11.000 employees and is active in the design, development, production and integrated support of civil and military aircraft, trainers, non-aircraft piloted and aerostructures. In the 2013 it registered revenues of 3,34 billion, orders for 3,98 billion and an order book of 9,0 billion.

Source: Alenia Aermacchi

(in the photo the Medium Altitude, Long Endurance Sky-Y)