EADS Develops VTOL UAV Push, Targeting Europe and Asia
EADS is designing several new categories of vertical takeoff
and landing unmanned aerial vehicles after an earlier attempt,
the Seamos, came to naught.
The largest and most direct replacement for Seamos is being shown
for the first time at Le Bourget as a mockup. The Orka-1200 features
a 7.2-ft diameter main rotor, with a ducted tailrotor. The UAV
is based on a manned rotorcraft Helicopter Guimbal is developing.
A prototype of the piloted helo is in flight-testing with certification
expected later this year, and first flight of a production version
slated for next year, EADS said.
Orca-1200 would be ship-based and carry electro-optical and infrared
sensors, as well as a maritime surveillance synthetic aperture
radar. EADS has opted for a smaller vehicle than some of its competitors-notably
the Northrop Grumman Fire Scout-because it expands the market
by increasing the number of ships that could accommodate the system,
said Patrick Oswald, the company's VP overseeing the UAV business.
The projected market is for 500-1,000 systems, with Europe and
Asia seen as the strongest potentials for the Orca-1200. Several
European countries have requirements for such a system that should
come to fruition around 2006-2008.
The system would feature autonomous takeoff and landing systems,
a maximum takeoff weight of 680 kg, with a payload capacity of
180 kg. Endurance could reach up to eight hours, allowing a ship
to attain 24-hour surveillance with three air vehicles. The Orka-1200
should be able to takeoff and land in rough seas. The company
hopes soon to secure either a launch order or funding for further
development of the system.
Several options are still under discussion for Orka-1200, including
the potential addition of satcom to enable beyond-line-of-sight
operations. However, there are still some engineering questions
whether the rotor would disrupt the satcom. EADS also plans to
offer two engine options, with the alternate being a diesel.
In a much smaller category, EADS also is working on two helo UAVs
that could be used from ships that can't accommodate a larger
system. The two aircraft, Scorpio-6 and Scorpio-30 are 1.7 meters
and 2 meters long and have maximum takeoff weights of 13 kg and
38 kg respectively. The UAVs would feature a small electro-optical
sensor to monitor ship traffic or other targets, although range
would be limited to 1-2 km. The larger Scorpio-30 is nearing its
first flight, Oswald said. EADS also is in discussion with the
U.S. Army to deliver a system with which it could experiment.
