LE BOURGET—Airbus says discussions are underway on how to evolve the Eurodrone program, which is still in its development stage, in terms of missions and participants, in part to reflect lessons from current conflicts.
The program, which suffered early delays, is now approaching its critical design review, but participants are looking at how the project may need to be adjusted. “There are lots of questions out of the Ukraine conflict,” says Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus head of air power programs.
Among the issues being explored is whether to focus the twin-engine medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) system on maritime roles.
Industry proposed the 11-metric-ton MALE drone to preserve homegrown uncrewed air system development capability at a time when European governments were buying U.S. and Israeli platforms.
Another issue is whether to include other countries in the partnership that includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain. They have ordered some 20 Eurodrone systems, with each system to feature three air vehicles.
Japan and India have voiced interest in participating. And, Dumont said, “there are other countries knocking at the door and willing to take an observer role, or some of them even jump into a contributing role.”
Even with all that up in the air, “we still target the entry into service at the end of the decade,” Dumont said.
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