The first full-size model of the European Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft (remotely piloted aircraft for intermediate and long-range operations) was unveiled today at a ceremony at theILA Air Show of Berlin at Schönefeld Airport.
The ceremony, attended by Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space, Eric Trappier, president and chief executive officer of Dassault Aviation, and Lucio Valerio Cioffi, manager of Aircraft Division di Leonardo, was the occasion to confirm the commitment of the four European states and industrial partners to the joint development of an independent solution for the defense and security of Europe.
This new phase comes almost two years after the launch of the definition study in September 2016 by the four participating countries (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) and follows the Declaration of Intent on joint collaboration on an air system without class pilot European EVIL, signed by the same nations in May 2015.
“Although much work still lies ahead, this full-size model represents a first step towards what theEurope it can achieve in a high-tech sector if it can combine its industrial strength and know-how,” said Dirk Hoke, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defense and Space. "The BAD RPAS will become an integral part of the capacity of theEurope to ensure its independence in the future. The program is designed to meet urgent capability requirements by the European Armed Forces. This innovative partnership also mitigates the effects generated by budget constraints through the effective blending of R&D funds."
“Today's presentation reflects our companies' total dedication to European independence in the field of defense and security. Cooperation and high technology legitimize the leadership of European industry and ensure Europe's strategic autonomy,” said Eric Trappier, president and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Innovative programs through efficient partnerships will support European competitiveness by providing new procurement alternatives to non-European products. Dassault Aviation reaffirms its full support to Airbus Defense and Space as program leader BAD RPAS".
"Unmanned aerial systems and their applications represent one of the fundamental technological elements for the future evolution of the European defense industry", underlined Lucio Valerio Cioffi, head of Aircraft Division di Leonardo. "The BAD RPAS aims to promote the development of high technologies and will help support key skills and jobs in Europe, providing the Armed Forces with advanced performance and an independent operating system".
