Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI), European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company NV (EADS), and the French Ministry of Defense Arms Procurement Agency (DGA) successfully conducted the maiden flight of a new long-range mid-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), called the Eagle. The Eagle is derived from IAIs Heron UAV, which is in operational use with the Israel Air Force.
The Eagle was built under a $35-40 million development program begun three years ago. The Eagles most important feature is an automated take-off and landing system. When development is completed, Frances Ministry of Defense will decide whether to procure the Eagle for the French Air Force. IAI hopes that EADS will lead the marketing of the Eagle in other European countries.
In the test flight, the Eagle took off from a testing ground in southern France, carrying a complete satellite and line-of-sight communications system. The flight, controlled from a ground station, demonstrated the effectiveness of the UAV, especially its automated take-off and landing system, satellite communications and combined command and control capabilities.
Source and more information: globes
