Various UAV and UCAV Designs from Europe

[Voltzz]

Again an UAV i can find very little information on:
The Fokker Space 'MATE' tube launched reconnaissance uav.

Searching for 'Dutch Space' instead of 'Fokker Space' gives much better results:

The EADS head office used to be at Schiphol, but nowadays is located in Leiden, on the site of
Dutch Space. In July 2006 Dutch Space became fully owned by Astrium NV (the former EADS
Space BV).[13] Dutch Space has approximately 200 employees and an annual turnover of 52
million euros (2009).[14] The company is involved in the development of components for the
Ariane 5 rocket launch system.[15] It also develops 'MATE', a portable unmanned vehicle (UAV)
for close-range reconnaissance.[16]

Source

And through that source i found the archived product page by Dutch Space:

MATE
Dutch Space is developing mate: a Man-portable Aerial Terrain Explorer. Mate is a portable unmanned vehicle (uav), meant for millitary close-range reconnaissance (up to 5 km). Mate has a maximum 60 minutes flight-endurance.

One man can carry and operate the light-weight system. The system consists of a small tube-launched uav with deployable wings and fins, in combination with a lap-top sized ground-station.The recorded video-images of the camera on board of the air-vehicle are immediately down-linked for real time display on the screen of the ground-station.
After a short mission-planning the onboard auto pilot receives the mission flight after which the vehicle will fly fully autonomously. Also the launch and deployment of the wings/fins will be carried out automatically. If necessary, the preprogrammed mission-flight can be updated during flight.

Source

Thanks to flateric for the help

 

[Voltzz]

IAT (International Aerospace Technology) was a German company that developed two UAVs in the late 80s:
The MK-105 FLASH was a multipurpose UAV primarily designed for recon tasks
The MK-106 HIT was a delta-wing loitering munitions for anti-radar or anti-tank roles.

 

[Voltzz]

Project V 87 was a Dornier (DASA) concept for a HALE UAV.
The only information on it is 13m length, 25m wingspan and operating height >17km

 

[muttbutt]

https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/saab-acquires-uk-ai-drone-maker-bluebear/

 

[hesham]

Project V 87 was a Dornier (DASA) concept for a HALE UAV.
The only information on it is 13m length, 25m wingspan and operating height >17km

Hi Voltzz,

may this series (V87) was begun with DASA itself ?.

 

[Voltzz]

Hi Voltzz,

may this series (V87) was begun with DASA itself ?.

My post contains literally all information i have found on V87. The source is from when Dornier was already part of DASA, but the project might very well be of older origin. To be honest i dont think there was much work done on it, t seems like just a paper project.

 

[Voltzz]

The MK-106 HIT was a delta-wing loitering munitions for anti-radar or anti-tank roles.

I found another interesting detail on HIT in an old (2014) post by @hesham in this forum here
Its an article from Popular Mechanics (1992/1) that mentions the IAT HIT as one of the competitors for the US Close-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle requirement.

 

[alberchico]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709164029191590326

View: https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1709164029191590326


Looks like the Aarok UAV has found its first customer. Surprising since Ukraine is also planning to aquire the Akinci UAV from Turkey.

 

[muttbutt]

https://www.armyrecognition.com/def...ing_100_drones_in_joint_french_army_demo.html

 

[alberchico]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1723600538493759952

View: https://twitter.com/RAeSTimR/status/1723600538493759952


https://fl360aero.com/detail/uae-ba...take-in-polish-personal-jet-maker-flaris/1525
https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11...-out-11-new-drones-missiles-at-dubai-airshow/
So this very light jet from Poland is being developed into an armed drone with UAE funding. I don't know how practical this concept is. A clean sheet design would have been more capable. This reminds me of the UCAV version of the Piaggio turboprop that also went nowhere.

 

[Voltzz]

The Fokker Space 'MATE' tube launched reconnaissance uav.

Found a photo (looks like a model at an exhibition) and a short description here (in portuguese )

Fokker has revealed an ultra-light unmanned vehicle concept developed for the Norwegian Army known as MATE (Man-portable Aerial Terrain Explorer). The vehicle is low-cost, light (6kg) and has a range of 30 minutes with an operational range of 5km. It is designed to improve situational awareness at the company or platoon level. It is 90cm long and is ejected from a tube by pressure up to 50-60 meters high in mortar style. The wings are then unfolded to a width of 2.4m. After launch, MATE flies in a pre-programmed pattern using a laptop with a serial interface at an altitude of 300m with GPS for navigation. Can send images from a mirror-stabilized CCD camera via line-of-sight radio including internal GPS data. Night vision sensors can be installed but they reduce autonomy by 5 minutes due to the increase in weight. It can be in action in less than 10 minutes including mission planning by clicking on the location of waypoints on the digital map displayed on the laptop. It can be recovered at a pre-established flight point, but in principle it is disposable. Typical cost is $20,000 based on a requirement of 600-800 vehicles.

 

[muttbutt]

Cyprus based CyRIC AGS is developing the Spear-22 Loitering munition.

https://soldat-und-technik.de/2023/...loitering-munition-auf-edex-2023-vorgestellt/google translation

According to manufacturers, the payload should be able to be up to 15 kg at a maximum take-off weight of 40 kg. This can consist of different sensor packages and active load charges. According to CyRIC, both snap-in heads with splinter and hoe-charge battle heads can be retrofitted. Due to the modular design, the Loitering ammunition can also be used for pure reconnaissance mission without a battle head with subsequent recycling after landing and also extremely easy to maintain. In the transport position with folded wings, the Spear-22 is 244 cm long and can be carried both from a starting container from the ground or carried by aircraft as an external load. The manufacturer gives the range, depending on the payload and type of use, or Starting height with 60 km to 120 km. The flight time varies between 45 and 90 minutes. The electric drive with an air screw in the rear can accelerate the Spear-22 to a top speed of up to 140 km/h.

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/04/27/nhs-to-use-google-drones-for-flights-over-london/

 

[muttbutt]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1797913276384526339

 

[bobbymike]

https://www.twz.com/land/shipping-container-launcher-packing-126-kamikaze-drones-hits-the-market

 

[GTX]

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-drones-warfare-robots-florian-seibel-defense/

 

[muttbutt]

At the accompanying exhibition of this year's 9. For the first time, the ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH presented the autonomous, unmanned load transport system HADIS, which enables up to 500 kg of loads of up to 170 km deep to be transported vertically in enemy territory. HADIS stands for High Altitude Drop Infiltration System.

The freight glider consisting of the components wings and fuselage is designed as a one-way platform and is intended to serve to supply hunting commands and special forces operating deeply in enemy areas. The complete electronics required for the control system are housed in the wing, while the fuselage serves as a cargo box for up to 500 kg of material. In contrast to autonomous paraglider shield systems, HADIS is intended to achieve significantly further gliding flights, as an ESG representative explained hard point against. Due to the higher range, the manned carrier aircraft can remain further outside the hazardous area of enemy air defense.

https://www.hartpunkt.de/9-ksk-symp...-erstmalig-autonomes-frachtgleitsystem-hadis/

 

[muttbutt]

The drone defence missile currently under development at Diehl Defence, called "Missile – out-pronged Micro Missile – can be equipped with various payloads. This also includes a network thrown over drones to interrupt their flight. The "Missile can then land and be reused.

At the very least, the concept provides for what is happening from well-informed circles on the edge of the 26th DWT-Marinew Workshop in Linstow was heard. This would allow the missile to be used by the police to defend drones, for example, by the police, without risking great collateral damage.

https://www.hartpunkt.de/verschiedene-nutzlasten-μmissile-auch-im-frieden-einsetzbar/

 

[muttbutt]

Portuguese unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer Tekever announced on 23 September 2024 that it has unveiled ground-breaking UAV technologies at the ongoing NATO Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) 2024 exercise, being held around Portugal’s Troia Peninsula.

During the exercise Tekever’s AR3 and AR5 UAVs were deployed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions on both land and sea, including an amphibious operation involving UAV launches from land to sea. The highlight of the event, according to Tekever, was the AR5 UAV successfully deployed sonobuoys for underwater threat detection: the first time an unmanned aerial vehicle of its type has deployed sonobuoys. This technological advancement significantly boosts maritime security capabilities by enabling underwater threat detection, most obviously of submarines, directly from UAVs.

Another key innovation featured at REPMUS 24 was integration of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) from IMSAR onto Tekever’s AR5 UAV. This integration, along with the AR5’s electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras and satellite communication capabilities, “reinforces the AR5’s capability as a multi-mission platform, capable of handling complex military operations across various environments with superior real-time data collection”, according to Tekever

https://euro-sd.com/2024/09/major-news/40498/tekever-at-repmus-24/

 

[Scott Kenny]

https://euro-sd.com/2024/09/major-news/40498/tekever-at-repmus-24/

If that AR5 had the SAR and sonobuoys loaded at the same time, that's quite a capable MPA.

You'd still need another airframe to carry torpedoes or depth charges, but it's got all the sensors.

 

[jsport]

https://apnews.com/article/serbia-t...=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru

 

[GTX]

https://www.armyrecognition.com/new...t-networks-with-avilus-grille-logistics-drone

 

[alberchico]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1867605381700366396

View: https://x.com/Heroiam_Slava/status/1867605381700366396

https://armyrecognition.com/news/ae...-first-contract-with-ministry-of-armed-forceshttps://aerospaceglobalnews.com/new...erim-solution-or-a-replacement-for-eurodrone/

 

[H_K]

Saab has just released some visuals of a supersonic Loyal Wingman concept (>5 tonnes)... very interesting!

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/dronare-central-del-i-nasta-generations-stridsflyg

https://twitter.com/x/status/1868571757915025490

View: https://x.com/GripenNews/status/1868571757915025490

 

[H_K]

Couple of screenshots of Saab's supersonic Loyal Wingman, from the video in the link:

 

[Forest Green]

https://www.twz.com/air/these-are-saabs-concepts-for-its-next-generation-fighter-drones

 

[muttbutt]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877656725203059001

Defence tech startup Origin has secured €4.5M from our European Defence Fund #EDF to develop a man-portable ISTAR drone with laser target designation.Partnering with Aktyvus Photonics and Leosys Laser they will focus on

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877656754110304719

minimize size, weight, and power consumption across a laser designator, see-spot camera, gimbal, and the UAV itself

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...es-delayed-because-parts-used-ukraine-drones/

 

[muttbutt]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885237062749544787

First flights already completed for the MTO made in
@SAFRAN
20 kg, 50 km range, 3 kg payload, electric motor, Safran AI algorithms for terminal guidanceAvailability by end of 2025/early 2026Droppable from drones (Patroller type) or helicopters

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-new...lity-to-enhance-patrol-surveillance-presence/

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-new...r-unveils-new-vtol-version-of-the-aliaca-uav/

 

[muttbutt]

https://www.edrmagazine.eu/sofins-2...ench-german-research-institute-of-saint-louis

Delivering a precision strike at 50km range is normally the job of guided artillery rockets or specifically guided 155 mm artillery rounds. While their precision strike capabilities come at considerable cost, they lack the ability to hunt down targets on the move. The French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis, ISL in short, has developed a glide bomb that meets the need, especially for arming UAVs​

 

[muttbutt]

On May 12, 2025, at the FEINDEF defense exhibition in Madrid, Spanish defense company Indra officially unveiled Valero, a fully indigenous multi-purpose air vehicle (MAV) system designed for modern collaborative combat. Developed to meet the needs of future multi-domain operations, Valero embodies Spain’s ambition to achieve strategic autonomy through advanced, modular technologies. With the ability to carry various payloads, launch from fighter jets or ground platforms, and function autonomously or in coordinated swarms, Valero introduces a new category of remotely operated air assets. Its presentation marks a significant milestone for the Spanish defense industry amid increasing demand for adaptable, low-cost, and networked aerial capabilities.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...v-designs-from-europe.1970/page-4#post-780618

 

[Odysseus1980]

https://www.hartpunkt.de/verschiedene-nutzlasten-μmissile-auch-im-frieden-einsetzbar/

Saw this in DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Athens. Interesting idea.

 

[Mr.T]

Saw this in DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Athens. Interesting idea.

That is the old Cicada model , newer one had folding wings to be container launched , I have seen it on EnforceTac 2025 ,but the prop seemed very small .Its a swiss drone Diehl is marketing

Orignal swiss variant had a drone net in the tail unit , this one is meant to ram the drone not catch it

This is the last one they showed , and they mentioned it will be tried out on a ship

 

[Odysseus1980]

So I saw an evolution of this, or something similar.

 

[muttbutt]

The aircraft manufacturer toulouse Aura Aero is making a strategic turn. Known for its electric and hybrid aircraft, the SME officially announces its entry into the military market with ENBATA, a new generation MALE (Middle Altitude Long Endurance) drone. The ambition is clear: to offer a sovereign, delicious and cost-controlled platform.

https://opexnews.fr/drone-male-enbata-aura-aero/

 

[muttbutt]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defenc...ssor-ucav-for-french-air-force/163356.article

 

[muttbutt]

This is at the Luxembourg stand at the Paris air show.....I got nothing...

 

[red admiral]

This is at the Luxembourg stand at the Paris air show.....I got nothing...

Aerodynamics is not a thing in Luxembourg?