The Eurodrone program, led by Airbus Defence and Space, has successfully performed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
This major program milestone has been completed with OCCAR and representatives of the four customer nations (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) in the presence of the three Major Sub-Contractors (MSC), Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo.
The Eurodrone is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system (UAS). Designed to become one of the main pillars of future combat air systems, the Eurodrone aims to facilitate international conflict prevention and crisis management. Provided with innovative cutting-edge technology, the Eurodrone will offer operational superiority, especially in the context of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
The PDR proves that the initial design of the aircraft has consistently matured, paving the way to proceed with the detailed design. It is the outcome of different technical assessments and evaluations conducted, such as:
- Wind Tunnel Testing: Confirmed the aerodynamic configuration of Eurodrone.
- Overall Design: Ensured demonstration of operational capability.
- Digital Twin: The validation of a fully representative Digital Twin.
From the very beginning, the Eurodrone program benefits from both design philosophies – physical and digital. Supported by and based on the knowledge already gathered, the Eurodrone program enters into a new phase to reach the Critical Design Review (CDR), which will represent the final step and closure of architecture and system design.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, commented; “Performing the Preliminary Design Review for the development of Eurodrone represents an important step forward for this key European defence programme.
“It shows a real joint effort and collaborative spirit from all industrial partners and the Customer community to ensure European sovereignty and independence in this critical segment of unmanned long endurance ISTAR capability.”
