France, UK Sign Letter Of Intent On Future Combat Air System

The President of the French Republic, François Hollande, and the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, signed a letter of intent formalizing the launch of joint feasibility studies in the field of unmanned combat air systems (UCAS) at a Summit at RAF Brize Norton.

This 2 year £120 million joint feasibility study decision, follows on from the Lancaster House Treaties (November 2010), gives a new dimension to the joint studies already undertaken in this field. Earlier, Dassault Aviation and BAE Systems, as leaders of the project, have worked, together with their partners Safran, Rolls-Royce, Thales and Selex, to ensure the success of this ambitious R&T programme.

As leader of the French team, Dassault Aviation was delighted by the decision made. “This launch by the French and British authorities is contributing to the development of the combat air systems sector and is paving the way for the future in this strategic field,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

This decision also bolsters the national investments made in recent years, notably in the nEUROn combat UAV demonstrator.

The counterparts also reached agreement on technical arrangements for the exchange programme to provide RAF pilots and engineers with experience of operating the A400M ahead of the delivery of the UK’s first aircraft later this year; and for French pilots to gain flying experience on the RAF’s A330 Voyager aircraft, a Memorandum of Understanding confirming joint orders for a future helicopter launched Anti Surface Guided Weapon, a £10 million contract for the development of underwater vehicles and further cooperation between the Armies in the areas of equipment capability and interoperability.

"The agreements we have reached at this Summit will improve the inter-operability of our forces, enhance our joint equipment procurement and build on our capacity to support security and stability in places such as Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic," Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.