European aerospace industries and defense establishments are promoting pan-European collaboration in launching a collaborative development of Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) drone capability that will rely on the collective knowhow, skills and technologies of member countries. EADS Cassidian, Dassault Aviation and Finmeccanica Alenia Aermacchi declare their readiness to coordinate on such a program supporting the security needs of European governments and armed forces, Defense-Update reports from the Paris Airshow.
Similar collaborative programs pursued in the past included the Tornado strike fighter, Typhoon 4th Generation fighter plane, the Aster anti-aircraft/anti-missile weapon system, and FREMM class frigates, developed under French-Italian collaboration. Another European cooperative program in the field of UAS, known as nEUROn, lead by Dassault, is aimed to conceive, produce, and test the first European Unmanned Combat Aircraft System (UCAS) demonstrator with stealth characteristics.
As for an independent European advanced MALE capability, such a joint program would support the capability needs of European armed forces while optimizing the difficult budgetary situation through pooling of research and development funding.
With a new development, critical requirements around the certification of drones, allowing their safe passage and operation in European air space, would inherently be built into the program from the onset. European sovereignty and independence in the management of information and intelligence would be guaranteed while at the same time delivering a robust system resilient against cyber attacks. The program would be orientated to foster the development of high technologies and contribute to sustaining key competencies and jobs within Europe.
All of the companies mentioned have tried to develop or are developing UAS programs, but not necessarily of the final size platform envisioned for the MALE program.