Europe: The empty cockpit

The growing momentum behind the design and manufacture of UAV's and their potential integration into the global environment is bringing outstanding technology challenges and opportunities for the aerospace industry.

Primary major projects of the European aerospace industry today include the massive (in every respect) Airbus A380, the A400M military transport, and the manufacture and further development of the Eurofighter Typhoon. But another hugely significant area of long-term importance is emerging: the autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In all its many derivatives and applications, together with the technology that will allow its safe integration into the world's airspace, the autonomous UAV is bringing step-changes in technology and subsequent manufacturing opportunities.

Most of the major European aerospace companies are involved to varying degrees in UAV development or associated technology. These are mainly small-to medium-size platform, multi-role applications rather than large strategic platforms, although EADS does have the Barracuda about which only basic details and images have been released (see September Aerospace Engineering), and in France, Dassault is prime contractor for the multinational nEURON UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle) technology demonstrator. Other countries and companies involved in the nEURON program include Sweden's Saab, Greece's Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Switzerland's Ruag, Spain's EADS CASA, and Italy's Alenia.