DGA orders a fourth Harfang UAV
The French Defence procurement agency, the DGA, has ordered a fourth EADS Harfang UAV and a third control station as part of its interim MALE unmanned air system programme.
The new UAV, which will be delivered to the French Air Force, the Armee de'l Air (AdlA) in 2010 will be used to train operators and will be used at major events in France such as major sporting events and gathering information for disaster relief efforts. The aircraft will be based at Cognac - Châteaubernard airbase serving with the EED 1/330 Squadron.
The AdlA uses the UAVs for surveillance, reconnaissance, target designation and laser illumination over hostile territory using optical, infrared and radar systems.
Each aircraft can say airborne for 24 hours. The Harfang has been operational in Afghanistan since February 2009 and has flown more than 1,400 flying hours on behalf of NATO forces. The AdlA continues to study the acquisition of future MALE systems, the DGA says.
Source: Translated from a DGA Press Release
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