European MALE saga - EuroMALE, MALE 2020, MALE RPAS

Scott Kenny said:
uippable with a Battlefield Surveillance radar of some type? The problem being that IIRC it replaces the EO eyeball. I could have sworn that they did arm the Predators with Longbow Hellfires when it was carrying a BSR.
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Certainly Reaper can be, suspect Predator would be marginal. There have been pictures of RAF Reaper recently with an unknown SAR array on the side. Watchkeeper carry's a Wescam turret as standard and Thales iMaster radar.

Suspect you'd need to add a fairly hefty rocket to SDB to make it worth the candle...remember GLSDB only reaches 150km...(actually I don't believe that in the slightest...normal GMLRS reaches over 100km, so closer to 200km is more likely).
 
timmymagic said:
Scott Kenny said:
uippable with a Battlefield Surveillance radar of some type? The problem being that IIRC it replaces the EO eyeball. I could have sworn that they did arm the Predators with Longbow Hellfires when it was carrying a BSR.
Click to expand...
Certainly Reaper can be, suspect Predator would be marginal. There have been pictures of RAF Reaper recently with an unknown SAR array on the side. Watchkeeper carry's a Wescam turret as standard and Thales iMaster radar.

Suspect you'd need to add a fairly hefty rocket to SDB to make it worth the candle...remember GLSDB only reaches 150km...(actually I don't believe that in the slightest...normal GMLRS reaches over 100km, so closer to 200km is more likely).
Click to expand...
Powered JDAM or SPICE 250ER is kinda what I'm thinking, after some wikidiving.
 
www.flightglobal.com

Eurodrone could gain new missions and additional partners, Airbus says

The four-nation Eurodrone programme is nearing its critical design review (CDR) activity, as discussions continue around the potential for additional roles - and fresh partners - to come aboard.
www.flightglobal.com www.flightglobal.com

CDR near after a delay spanning more than a year, after it the programme will enter phase 1B with maiden flight scheduled for 2027. As some might have forgot, PDR was in 2018, already 7 years ago and the original schedule planned for a maiden flight in 2023 followed by introduction in 2025. So there's around 4 years of delay. If everything goes as plan from now, we'd be able to expect it to be introduced by 2029~2030. It is truly baffling that it would take almost 25 years after EADS Talarion/BAE Mantis for Europe to have developed its own MALE UAV in MALE RPAS.

Anyways, at least now there are more potential customers that are showing interests and considering becoming observer of the programme, as it is again gaining speed after delays. Unfortunately no mention of what the "additional missions" might be. The most obvious choices would probably be something like ASW, ELINT and AEW. Armed version is also mentioned.
 
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BIG: France May Exit Eurodrone Program

France is considering quitting the €7.1B Eurodrone program due to long delays, rising costs, and design concerns. First deliveries are now expected in 2031—six years late.

French officials view the drone as oversized, vulnerable, and possibly outdated by the time it enters service. Paris is seeking a coordinated exit with Germany, Spain, and Italy to avoid damaging Europe’s defense industry.

France is also exploring alternatives like the domestic Aarok drone, which may be cheaper, more agile, and available sooner.

Why Eurodrone Is Failing:
Delays & Cost Overruns: Conceptualized nearly two decades ago, deliveries are now delayed until 2031. Total cost has ballooned to over €7B for 20 systems.

Conflicting National Demands: Germany pushed for a twin-engine drone certified for civil airspace. France wanted a combat-focused, expeditionary drone—resulting in a costly, overcomplicated design.

Outdated Concept: The drone is large, slow, and non-stealthy—ill-suited for modern air defense threats seen in Ukraine.

Better Alternatives Emerging: France’s Aarok drone and evolving trends like loyal wingmen and attritable drones may offer cheaper, more survivable options.

No final decision yet, but the Eurodrone faces an uncertain future.

Source: La Tribune

https://twitter.com/x/status/1947571288735633598
View: https://x.com/clashreport/status/1947571288735633598
 
BIG: France May Exit Eurodrone Program
Combat-Master said:
France is considering quitting the €7.1B Eurodrone program due to long delays, rising costs, and design concerns. First deliveries are now expected in 2031—six years late.

French officials view the drone as oversized, vulnerable, and possibly outdated by the time it enters service. Paris is seeking a coordinated exit with Germany, Spain, and Italy to avoid damaging Europe’s defense industry.

France is also exploring alternatives like the domestic Aarok drone, which may be cheaper, more agile, and available sooner.

Why Eurodrone Is Failing:
Delays & Cost Overruns: Conceptualized nearly two decades ago, deliveries are now delayed until 2031. Total cost has ballooned to over €7B for 20 systems.

Conflicting National Demands: Germany pushed for a twin-engine drone certified for civil airspace. France wanted a combat-focused, expeditionary drone—resulting in a costly, overcomplicated design.

Outdated Concept: The drone is large, slow, and non-stealthy—ill-suited for modern air defense threats seen in Ukraine.

Better Alternatives Emerging: France’s Aarok drone and evolving trends like loyal wingmen and attritable drones may offer cheaper, more survivable options.

No final decision yet, but the Eurodrone faces an uncertain future.

Source: La Tribune

https://twitter.com/x/status/1947571288735633598
View: https://x.com/clashreport/status/1947571288735633598
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Looks like they've left
 

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(To be crosschecked if you have the opportunity...)
France has also apparently killed the Eurodrone, a long-range reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle being developed together with Germany, Italy and Spain, as the draft allocates no money to the much-delayed European program.
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www.politico.eu

France goes big on missiles and drones in multibillion-euro defense plan

Paris is also mulling the development of a new tank, according to a draft military planning law seen by POLITICO.
www.politico.eu www.politico.eu
 
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