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 The EAGLE
Système Intérimaire de Drone Male (SDIM) UAV system has been developed by EADS, in
order to meet European requirements for strategic reconnaissance and
surveillance, in support of out-of area operations. Two versions are
planned – Eagle 1, powered by a 115 hp Rotax 914 engine which can fly
at 25,000' and the Eagle 2 turboprop powered version (1200 hp PT6A
engine), designed for 24 hours operation at 45,000'. Fully integrated
into modern NATO C4I infrastructures, EAGLE will become a major asset
in future network centric operations of the French army. It is also
expected to be fielded with other NATO members.
Eagle was selected by the French Air Force, to provide
strategic and theater reconnaissance, intelligence collection and
communications support. It is also expected to operate in the maritime
surveillance and anti-surface warfare role. As a European program,
Eagle is expected to compete on other MALE oriented NATO programs, to
become an integral part of NATO's C4ISR and Intelligence,
Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR)
capabilities. The UAV will have a secondary role in support of
surveillance of maritime traffic, and support of homeland security,
search and rescue missions and support operations over coastal
regions. The aircraft is designed to meet airworthiness criteria and
operate in military and civil airspace, ensuring flight safety at
every phase of the mission. The aircraft can be deployed from
airstrips with runways as short as 600 meters (eagle 1) and 1,000 m'
(Eagle 2).
The SDIM drone flew from the DGA flight test
centre at Isrers on Sept. 11, 2006 fitted with full communication
package including satellite communication and line-of-sight data
links. The flight, operated from the operational SIDM ground station,
demonstrated the integrity of the UAV system, in particular the
Automatic Take-Off and Landing (ATOL), satellite communication and the
integral command and control functions. Further flights from Istres
are planned to allow the customer to verify the system performance in
the coming few months prior to final training of the French Air Force
operators.
SDIM is designed for carrying out surveillance, reconnaissance and
intelligence and target acquisition missions over long distance, by
day and night as well as in all weather conditions with integrated
anti icing system. SIDM is designed to be employed as an independent
ISTAR system or as a key component of a full C4ISR system. With total
payload carrying capacity of 1,250 kg, SDI can carry multiple payloads
at a total weight of 250kg. With a wing span of 16.6 meters, the drone
can carry out missions at a range exceeding 1,000 km from its point of
departure. It can cruise at a maximum ceiling of 30,000 feet and
remain airborne for more than 24 hours.
The Eagle program will be comprised of two versions of
air vehicles; the Eagle 1 utilizes an IAI Heron, modified to meet
European and particularly French Air Force requirements. One of the
most visible elements is the introduction of the satellite link, in
the upper forward section. Addition of deicing system, at the wing
leading edge enables the Eagle to safely fly through icing conditions.
Eagle 2 is under development under a joint EADS/IAI program, believed
to be based on IAI's Heron TP program (Designed for the
Israel Air Force Eitan MALE program). Both
vehicles are fully autonomous throughout the mission, including the
automatic takeoff and landing phases. The vehicle is designed to carry
multiple payloads, and perform multiple missions, such as COMINT,
SIGINT and IMINT or SAR, IMINT and communications relay etc. Eagle can
carry several types of sensors, including maritime patrol radar (MPR),
different types of SAR/MTI, EO/IR payloads, SIGINT, COMINT, laser
designator, communications relays etc.
September
11, 2006: The Système Intérimaire de Drone Male
(SDIM) unmanned aerial system made its first flight from Istres
air base flight test center in Southern France. A Medium Altitude Long
Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System, SDIM program is
led by the French armaments procurement agency (DGA) and is developed
under cooperation between EADS and IAI/MALAT. When fully developed,
SDIM will be deployed by the French Air Force as a strategic ISR
asset. |
