India gets an observer seat in the Eurodrone program

ROME — India has been granted observer status on the four-nation Eurodrone program which is edging towards completion.

India joins Japan as observer on the project launched by Italy, France, Germany and Spain and run by Europe-based contracting agency OCCAR to build a MALE drone that will give Europe greater autonomy in the drone sector.

Developed by Airbus, France’s Dassault Aviation and Italy’s Leonardo, the Eurodrone, with a wing span of 26 meters, will specialize in long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

During an October visit to Leonardo facilities in Italy, Eurodrone program officials inspected the mission computer and Gabbiano electronically scanned radar due to be installed on the platform.

Prime contractor Airbus has stated the Eurodrone will be able to fly in non-segregated airspace, carry weapons, offer naval anti-submarine warfare as well as electronic-warfare capabilities, featuring a 2.3 ton payload, 40 hours of autonomy and 45,000 feet maximum altitude.

Twin turboprops are positioned behind the wing in a pusher configuration.

The development follows years in which EU states dragged their heels on joint drone development. Launched in 2015, the Eurodrone program originally aimed for a first delivery in 2025, although entry into service is now planned for 2029.

Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.

罗马——印度已被授予由四个国家参与的欧洲无人机计划的观察员地位，该计划正接近完成。

印度与日本一起作为观察员参与了由意大利、法国、德国和西班牙发起、总部位于欧洲的承包机构 OCCAR 运营的 MALE 无人机项目，该项目旨在建造一种 MALE 无人机，这将使欧洲在无人机领域拥有更大的自主权。

由空中客车公司、法国达索航空公司和意大利莱昂纳多公司联合开发的 Eurodrone 无人机，翼展 26 米，将专门用于执行长时间的情报、监视、目标获取和侦察 (ISTAR) 任务。

10 月份，欧洲无人机项目官员访问了位于意大利的莱昂纳多公司，并检查了即将安装在平台上的任务计算机和加比亚诺电子扫描雷达。

主承包商空中客车公司表示，Eurodrone无人机能够在非隔离空域飞行，携带武器，提供海军反潜作战以及电子战能力，有效载荷为2.3吨，自主飞行时间为40小时，最大飞行高度为45000英尺。

双涡轮螺旋桨发动机以推进式布局安装在机翼后方。

欧盟各国多年来在联合无人机研发方面进展缓慢，如今终于迎来了新的进展。这项名为“欧洲无人机计划”（Eurodrone）的项目于2015年启动，最初目标是在2025年交付首架无人机，但现在计划于2029年投入使用。

汤姆·金顿是《防务新闻》驻意大利记者。