The multi-national Airbus Eurodrone HALE UAV project has completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) stage.
The multi-national Airbus Eurodrone HALE UAV project has reached a significant milestone, completing its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) stage. This development marks a crucial step forward in the project’s progress.
Airbus announced the completion of PDR, which involved designing and testing the aircraft in a wind tunnel and its digital twin in virtual space.
The Eurodrone project has experienced delays, specifically in PDR’s case. The Drive reported that Germany made a complaint regarding the subject at the beginning of 2024. Germany stated that a lack of coordination between contractors and under-developed technologies played a significant role in the delay.
Eurodrone is a twin-turboprop engine HALE-class UAV project spearheaded by France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The project primarily aims to develop a long-endurance ISTAR platform with the clearance to operate in civilian airspace to enter service in 2029.
The UAV is projected to have an MTOW of 11 tonnes and a payload capacity of 2.3 tonnes. Nine hardpoints (eight under the wings and one under the fuselage) will be present for integrating munitions or sensors.
Two Catalyst 1300 turboprop engines from the Italian Avio Aero will power the UAV, which has a projected power rating of 1300 hp.
Eurodrone Completes PDR Stage
