A full scale 1:1 model of the future European Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was unveiled at the 2018 ILA Berlin Air Show being held from 25 to 29 April.
The multi-national program led by Airbus Defence and Space (Germany and Spain), Dassault (France) and Leonardo (Italy) has selected a twin prop configuration for the RPAS ( Remotely Piloted Aircraft System).
The UAV has a pusher propeller configuration similar to the Italian Piaggio Aero Hammerhead UAV.
In addition to intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles, the UAV will also be armed for ground attack missions.
Development is slated to commence later this year, with a maiden prototype flight targeted in 2023 and first delivery in 2025.
Onboard electronics will be supplied by Thales (France), Hensoldt (Germany), Elettronica (Italy) and Indra(Spain).
The European MALE UAV will replace the US made General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper flown by France, Italy, Spain and the IAI Heron UAV flown by Germany.