EADS Flys Barracuda UAV

Steyr

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/27/330175/pictures-eads-flies-barracuda-uav-demonstrator-in-goose-bay.html

**Pictures In Link Provided**

DATE:27/07/09
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
PICTURES: EADS flies Barracuda UAV demonstrator in Goose Bay
By Andrew Doyle

EADS has conducted a series of test flights of its Barracuda unmanned air vehicle (UAV) demonstrator from Goose Bay air force base in Canada.

The manufacturer, which claims the Barracuda is the largest UAV built in Europe, says the four flights were used to test technologies and procedures "in realistic conditions".


During the test campaign in the Goose Bay area of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the jet-powered demonstrator flew autonomously along pre-programmed flight profiles, says EADS Defence & Security (DS). It was monitored from a ground station "with respect to flight safety only", it adds.


The first Barracuda technology testbed had its maiden flight in April 2006, but crashed in September of that year during its second sortie.

"We once again have a demonstrator for the autonomous and network-centric UAV mission systems of the future," says Bernhard Gerwert, head of the DS Military Air Systems business unit.

the_syco

Steyr wrote: »

The manufacturer, which claims the Barracuda is the largest UAV built in Europe

Could someone explain how being a large target is a good thing? I suppose I've seen too many of the American toys

OS119

the_syco wrote: »

Could someone explain how being a large target is a good thing? I suppose I've seen too many of the American toys

its supposed to be reasonably stealthy - low radar return, shrouded/diffused IR emmisions - and if you paint something lightgrey/blue no ones going to see it at 15,000ft. its only big (ish) to carry the payload: weapons, sensor package,fuel etc...

LD 50

But the Americans manage to get those payloads onto smaller UAV's.
If its the largest, that increases its radar profile. but I suppose its prob made entirely of radar absorbant materials. when you think about it, its tiny when compared to a B1, which can barely have any radar signature at all.