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Advanced MALE (UAV)
Advanced, Multi-Mission MALE UAV system from EADS
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EADS' Advanced MALE concept UAV is based on the Barracuda
UAV platform, originally developed for the German Agile UCAV
demonstration program. Barracuda crashed on a test flight off
the Spanish coast last year. The Advanced MALE will consist
of a common core, a 10.3m (34ft) long fuselage which will be
configured with modular mission packages adapting the platform
for different roles. The common core will accommodate two turbofan
engines.
The MALE configuration will employ a large 25.25m span wing,
enabling the aircraft to operate at an altitude of 46,000
ft, well above commercial air traffic. Mission endurance could
reach 17 hours, at a range of 925 km (500 nm). The aircraft
will be equipped with a Ku-band satellite terminal mounted
on the upper nose. Alternatively, the UAV could be configured
for deep penetration, flying at altitude as low as 1,000 ft
at high speed recce missions, by fitting a nine meter span
swept wing. The modular payload bay located forward and aft
of the aircraft centre of gravity will be able to carry various
radars (SAR, maritime search), and EO payloads.
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