Germans Cold War Spyplanes - D-450 Egrett-1 D-500 G-520 Strato G-850 Strato C2

[Michel Van]

in beginn of 1988, the German Media show picture of a unusual German Prototype
Grob Werke D-450 Egrett-1 a propeller plane with extrem long wings [picture 1]

this was joint Luftwaffe-USAF program "LAPAS" - called in U.S. "Senior Guardian"
Luftgestütztes, abstandsfähiges Primär-Aufklärungssystem
Airsupport- distanceenabled - Primary- Reconnaissancesystem
the name Egrett based on Companys names E-system, Grob, Garrett
the D-450 had to prove that a conventional mid-wing monoplane
and build from Composite material, can be a low cost stealth spyplane.

after success with with D-450 Ergett evolve to D-500 Strato 1 [picture 2]
also build from Composite material and powered by turboprop engine
it was design for electronic Reconnaissance and photo reconnaissance
with help changeable cargobay the plane was easy to equip [picture 3]
the D-500 became later serial model D-520 and two seat trainer D-520T
the Luftwaffe order 16xD-520 Strato and one D-520T to be delivered by 2001
but in 1991 the Sovjetunion collabs and
Germans government cancelled the Program after D-520T was complete
the D-520T was sold to to Airborne Research Australia in Adelaide.

during the Time study were made for Ergett-2 a Twin turboprop engine reconnaissance craft
name change in 1990 to Grob D850 Strato-2
a prototype was build but after the Sovjetunion collabs,
D-850 was used as experimental high altitude research aircraft.
and is one of biggest aircraft build in Germany.

links
Ergrett-1 / Grob D-520
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grob/E-Systems/AlliedSignal_Egrett
D-850 Strato-2C
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,651.0.html

Source for Picture and Information:
P.M. Magazin 2/1988 page 70
Flug revue 1/1993 page 8
Flug revue 6/1995 page 74

[Stargazer2006]

Oh I loved the Egrett and Strato when they appeared! The D-500 was displayed at the Paris Airshow but I can't quite remember what year (must have been 1991). Shame there was no production version, it could have been a capable "European U-2" type of aircraft...

[fightingirish]

It's a also a shame, that the Egrett and Strato program didn't be a starting point for a European long range & high altitude UAV, just like the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk.

[Machdiamond]

Eventhough it is post cold-war, let's not forget the G600 Hale which never went past the concept stage but followed Grob's legacy of high altitude long endurance aircraft.
--Luc

[fightingirish]

 , I never knew about the G600 Hale.
More Information and a 3-view here at spyflight:
http://www.spyflight.co.uk/grob%20new.htm.

[Stargazer2006]

Oh I loved the Egrett and Strato when they appeared! The D-500 was displayed at the Paris Airshow but I can't quite remember what year (must have been 1991). Shame there was no production version, it could have been a capable "European U-2" type of aircraft...

It's a also a shame, that the Egrett and Strato program didn't be a starting point for a European long range & high altitude UAV, just like the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk.

I have got the feeling we are basically saying the same thing here, don't you think so? A strictly European high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, except the U-2 was manned and the Global Hawk is not. Flexibility, however, may be in the OPV formula (Optionally Piloted Vehicle), or at least in the development of both a manned and an unmanned aircraft depending on the type of role (like the Scaled Proteus, which exists as a piloted high-flying lab and will soon exist as a hunter-killer UAV).

Never heard of the Grob G-600 Hale either, by the way... That's why I love this forum!

[hesham]

Eventhough it is post cold-war, let's not forget the G600 Hale which never went past the concept stage but followed Grob's legacy of high altitude long endurance aircraft.
--Luc

Hi,

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1257.0/highlight,grob.html

[Michel Van]

wat happend with "Senior Guardian" program in U.S. ?

[Michel Van]

here some new picture

Picture
1 : D-520 Strato 1 with cockpit
2 : Presuresuit for Pilot and Radar scanner for D-520
3 : Construction of D-500 at Grob

note
the prototypes were fly with normal flysuit
while D-520 pilots had to wear pressure suits

Data to D-500 Grob/E-system
crew: one pilot
Powerplant: 1xGarrett TPE331-14F, 595 kW (800 shp)
Length: 12,0 meter
wingspan 33,0 meter !
Height: 6,0 meter
Wing area: 40,5 m²
wing Aspect ratio: 27,2
Payload: 900 kg
Max takeoff weight: 4200 kg
Maximum speed: 350 km/h
Cruising speed: 300 km/h
Takeoff run : 600 meters !
Service ceiling: 17000 meter
Rate of climb: 7,5 meter/sec
flytime: 6 to 9 hours

Source for Picture and Information:
Flug revue 1/1993 page 8