As Euros Dither over Euro-MALE, GA-ASI Reapers Market

Will a European MALE UAV ever be built?
This concept model was displayed at the 2013 Paris Air Show
by EADS-Cassidian (now Airbus Defence & Security).
(Photo: Chris Pocock)

Mixed Messages, Outlook for Future Euro-MALE UAV | Defense: Aviation International News
by Chris Pocock - May 23, 2014, 7:50 AM

Airbus Defence & Space (D&S), Alenia and Dassault Aviation have proposed a Project Definition (PD) study for a future European medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV to the governments of France, Germany and Italy. At the same time, however, Airbus D&S may be working with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) to develop what it describes as “bridging solution” for the German armed forces, using the Heron TP. Meanwhile, General Atomics–Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) is quietly confident that Germany may join the European “Reaper Club” that already comprises France, Italy and the UK as members.

European MALE drone development: Airbus, Finmeccanica and Dassault Aviation welcome the signature of the trinational Declaration of Intent by Germany, Italy and France

European Ministers To Study MALE UAV Program
ROME and PARIS — European defense ministers signed up on Monday to carry out a definition study for a European MALE UAV program, hailing it as a step toward ending Europe's reliance on Israeli and US drones.

"The goal of the Euro-drone is that we can decide by ourselves in Europe on what we use it, where we deploy the Euro-drone and how we use it," German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said.

"This makes us, the Europeans, independent."

Under the Declaration of Intent signed by the governments of Italy, Germany and France, a two-year definition study will be undertaken, followed by a decision about whether to develop and procure the UAV. The work will be undertaken by Dassault, Airbus and Finmeccanica, who first lobbied the governments to start a program two years ago. France, Italy and the UK all now operate General Atomics UAVs.

Indecision Renders European MALE UAV Virtually Impotent | Defense: Aviation International News

Continuing indecision by the governments of France, Germany and Italy over what type of Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system (UAS) should be built by Europe is holding up signature of the long-awaited project definition (PD) contract. When the French, German and Italian defense ministers declared their intent last month to fund the PD study, some observers expected them to ink the deal with a flourish here at the show. The reality is they have not yet provided enough definition of the Euro-MALE requirement to allow the industrial team led by Airbus Defence & Space, Dassault Aviation and Finmeccania to proceed.

Meanwhile, the maker of the Reaper UAS that already serves with three European air forces has again questioned why European industry seeks to build a Euro-MALE that will essentially be “a me-too” version of the American drone. And, not coincidentally, that company–General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI)–issued a statement here Monday that described its progress towards a “certifiable Reaper.”

GA-ASI said it had just successfully completed an internal Phase 1 Critical Design Review (CDR) of a Reaper that would be certified for flight “according to the NATO Airworthiness Standards,” including STANAG 4671, UKDEFSTAN 00970, SAE ARP4754A, as well as others. The company said it would conduct flight tests next year, leading to the first flight of a certifiable production aircraft in 2017.