Eurodrone Programme Completes Preliminary Design Review

The Eurodrone programme, led by Airbus Defence and Space as the prime contractor, has completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR).

This was achieved in collaboration with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and representatives from the four customer nations—France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The review was also attended by the three Major Sub-Contractors (MSC): Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo.

The PDR confirms that the initial design of the Eurodrone has matured adequately, allowing the project to move forward to the detailed design phase. It follows a series of technical assessments, including Wind Tunnel Testing to verify the drone's aerodynamic configuration, overall design evaluations to ensure operational capability, and the validation of a comprehensive Digital Twin. The Eurodrone programme integrates both physical and digital design philosophies from its inception.

With the knowledge gained so far, the programme now advances towards the Critical Design Review (CDR), the final phase that will complete the architecture and system design.

Eurodrone

The European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, or Eurodrone, is a twin-turboprop MALE UAV under development by Airbus, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo for Germany, France, Italy and Spain, with a first flight expected by mid-2027.

Eurodrone is designed to become one of the main pillars of any future combat air system, prepared for real integration into civil airspace based on minimal restrictions and easy transportability due to its modular design. The design will offer multi-mission capabilities and significant growth potential, for homeland operations, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and armed ISTAR, which can be conducted with full operational sovereignty.

In October 2022, the French DGA announced that the Eurodrone will be armed with MBDA-developed Missile Haut de Trame (MHT) air-to-ground missiles as well as GBU-49 bombs. Key advantages of the MHT for the Eurodrone include an efficient guidance system with GNSS, infrared, visible, and laser channels, a versatile warhead, reduced weight, and a range exceeding 15 kilometers.

The German BAAINBw chose Hensoldt’s new detect-and-avoid (DAA) radar for the Eurodrone in August 2023.