U.K and France has signed a $2.19 billion deal to build the first prototype of a next generation unmanned stealth aircraft, under the Futur...
U.K and France has signed a $2.19 billion deal to build the first prototype of a next generation unmanned stealth aircraft, under the Future Combat Air System project.
The deal builds on the joint feasibility study under taken by both sides signed during the UK France Summit in 2014.
The FCAS program will develop an unmanned stealthy multi-role combat capable aircraft, with full scale development of prototypes starting in 2017.
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| Dassault Aviation |
The FCAS program will develop an unmanned stealthy multi-role combat capable aircraft, with full scale development of prototypes starting in 2017.
UK companies involved in the program include BAE Systems, Finmeccanica Airborne and Space Systems Division , and Rolls Royce. French side will be lead by Dassault Aviation, SNECMA/Safran and Thales.
Both countries had earlier independently demonstrated ability to design unmanned stealthy aircraft through the BAE Systems led Taranis and Dassault led nEUROn programs.
Taranis was first flown in 2013 from Woomera test range in Australia. Weighing 8000 kg, it has two internal weapon bays.
The first flight of the nEUROn demonstrator was completed on December 1, 2012, in Istres (France). By mid-2015, low-observability and electro-optical performance had both been demonstrated in Istres and in Sardinia.
U.K has also secured agreement from France to look at purchasing the Brimstone missiles for its next version of the Tiger Combat helicopter.
Both countries had earlier independently demonstrated ability to design unmanned stealthy aircraft through the BAE Systems led Taranis and Dassault led nEUROn programs.
Taranis was first flown in 2013 from Woomera test range in Australia. Weighing 8000 kg, it has two internal weapon bays.
The first flight of the nEUROn demonstrator was completed on December 1, 2012, in Istres (France). By mid-2015, low-observability and electro-optical performance had both been demonstrated in Istres and in Sardinia.
U.K has also secured agreement from France to look at purchasing the Brimstone missiles for its next version of the Tiger Combat helicopter.
