EADS Barracuda

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Barracuda
Type Reconnaissance and combat UAV
National origin Joint venture between Germany and Spain
Manufacturer EADS
Maiden flight 2 April 2006

Barracuda is the project name[1] for a European unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) currently under development by EADS, intended for the role of reconnaissance and also combat (UCAV). The aircraft is a joint venture between Germany and Spain.

The Barracuda's maiden flight took place in February, 2006 at a remote location on the Iberian Peninsula.[2] The flight was a success but the prototype crashed into the water during a test flight just off the Spanish coast on September 23, 2006.

The Barracuda is primarily in competition with the Dassault nEUROn for strategic and defensive contracts. Both are stealth and have a max speed of around Mach 0.85 . While Germany and Spain are behind the Barracuda, France and Sweden are funding the nEUROn. Not much is known about the Barracuda as it is still in development.

[edit] Development

The Barracuda originated as a UAV design study, intended to push EADS into the market for medium-altitude long-range UAVs, a market they view as dominated by the United States and Israel.[3] Its official debut was at the 2006 International Aerospace Exhibition, where military applications and specifications for the Barracuda were revealed. EADS' current focus is to get the Barracuda certified for unregulated flight in Germany's designated airspace, while the long-term goal is to have it certified for non-segregated airspace.[4]

They also plan to develop the Barracuda as a modular platform, so that it can be refitted for various roles like maritime patrol.[5] Offensive capabilities are not planned, but it may be refitted to carry weapons if customers express interest for it.

Germany is also discussing a partnership with Sweden and Italy for a multinational unmanned aerial vehicle effort in order to compete with the French-led Dassault nEUROn programme.[6] Italy and Sweden are already participants in the French-led effort.[7]

[edit] Design

The Barracuda is based on commercially available 'off the shelf' components, but also many refined systems. Its fuselage is constructed entirely from carbon fibre - the only significant metal component is the wing spar, running through the middle and reinforcing the wings. The wing spar allows for easy removal of the wings for transportation.

EADS is currently studying a two-engine variant of the UAV which would weigh about the same as the nEUROn. This two-engine variant could have its first flight in 2008.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 0
  • Length: 27 ft 0 in (8.25 m)
  • Wingspan: 23.7 ft in (7.22 m)
  • Height: ft in (m)
  • Wing area: ft (m)
  • Empty weight: lb (2300 kg)
  • Loaded weight: lb (kg)
  • Useful load: lb (kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: lb (3250 kg)

Performance

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

[edit] References

  1. ^ UAV demonstrator opens up new technology perspectives for EADS
  2. ^ Air-Attack.com - EADS Barracuda
  3. ^ Barracuda
  4. ^ One step beyond
  5. ^ High-speed Barracuda could spawn modular UAV family - ILA show report
  6. ^ Germany, Italy and Sweden hold project talks on 'Agile' advanced UAV in bid to beat French-led Neuron
  7. ^ Important player in Neuron

[edit] External links

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