The Eurodrone will be the first fully European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS), designed and manufactured entirely in Europe. It is being developed by Airbus Defence & Space in Germany and Spain, Leonardo, and Dassault Aviation under OCCAR management on behalf of Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
OCCAR stated that the Eurodrone represents a defining moment in European defence cooperation. It is also a sovereign, ITAR-free system, providing strategic autonomy to participating nations.
The aircraft’s design integrates advanced technologies across all areas, including a secure and complex data dissemination architecture. This ensures the efficient transfer of mission-critical information between operational platforms.
Its communication suite allows seamless connectivity across diverse networks and theatres, supporting joint and allied operations. Eurodrone is built for certification from the outset, adhering to high airworthiness and safety standards to enable safe integration into civil airspace.
Equipped with advanced sensors, extended endurance, and a high payload capacity, the Eurodrone offers broad mission flexibility and enhanced situational awareness. It combines modern avionics, resilient navigation systems, and an open architecture, setting new benchmarks in performance, interoperability, and upgrade potential.
With the CDR now complete, the programme progresses to prototype production and ground testing. These steps will lead to the aircraft’s maiden flight and qualification activities, confirming Eurodrone’s role in Europe’s next-generation air capabilities.
Source: OCCAR.
