The French company Airbus presented the concept of the Eurodrone strike aircraft. In addition to Airbus, the Eurodrone project includes the French military jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation and the Italian defense company Leonardo.

Heavy UAVs are being developed for Spain, Germany, Italy and France. The first flight is scheduled for 2027.

With a length of 16 m and a wingspan of 26 m, the Eurodrone has a maximum take-off weight of 11,000 kg, considering the 2,300 kg payload. The drone will be able to develop a speed of 500 km / h and rise to an altitude of 13.7 km, with a maximum battery life of 40 hours.

The Eurodrone’s armament will include laser-guided GBU-12 Paveway II air bombs and semi-active laser or active radar-guided AGM-114 Helffire missiles. It will also be able to carry NSM anti-ship missiles manufactured by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defense.

Eurodrone is a medium-altitude and long-range (MALE) remotely manned aircraft (MAS) system with versatile and customized capabilities making it an ideal platform for reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISTAR) or national security operations. Part of a promising design, its open architecture will expand and change the capabilities of the system according to the future needs of the customer’s armed forces.

This helps increase efficiency, such as using direct flight paths, without the need for pre-planned emergency landing sites, saving time, fuel and, ultimately, CO2 emissions.

Eurodrone is based on digital design, manufacture and services (DDMS), a new digital approach Airbus has implemented for the development, manufacture and operation of aerospace products at all stages of production. Eurodrone is the first program to be fully designed and developed from the ground up using a step-by-step approach for better upgrade planning, operational readiness and lifecycle costs.

According to preliminary data, Airbus has already signed a contract for the production of 21 UAVs worth 7.1 billion Euros until 2028. It is reported that Germany will receive 21 UAVs, Italy – 15, France and Spain – 12 each.