From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

The future of Maritime Patrol & Recon aircraft?

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/05/15/213822/europe-eyes-long-enduran
ce-uav.html

"European Commission to lead development of multi-use vehicle, with
maritime surveillance system also proposed

The European Defence Agency and the European Commission are planning a
joint development programme for a new long-endurance unmanned air vehicle,
with initial funding starting in 2008.

Plans are also being prepared for the launch of a UAV-based maritime
surveillance system for Europe based on a combination of endurance and
tactical-class platforms.

The new-endurance UAV would seek to support civil and military applications
and use a modular design approach to allow maximum commonality between
variants. Development of the air vehicle will be led by the EC, while
military aspects of the project such as payloads will be led by the EDA.

Funding for the project is expected to run to millions of euros, with
European aerospace and defence companies expected to part-finance the
effort. Initial talks have been held with the peak European AeroSpace and
Defence (ASD) industries association of Europe, says Belgian army Col
Maurice de Langlois, EDA capability manager for engage and area
protection."


Note the dual usage scenario. It's a kind of a reversal of the old way i.e.
where an airliner is used to cover a mil role.

Adam

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