French-English UAS programme moves forward
BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation have been awarded a contract by the UK and French governments for a Future Combat Air System Demonstration Programme Preparation Phase (FCAS DPPP), according to a 30 July announcement.
The FCAS DPPP contract will propose a joint plan to mature and demonstrate critical technology and operational aspects of a future combat air system. BAE Systems expects that this will lead to a joint Unmanned Combat Air System demonstration and operational evaluation programme in the future.
BAE Systems said that along with Dassault Aviation, it 'fully supports their governments in their stated desire for closer bi-lateral defence relationships'.
Since 2010, they have started and continue to work closely together to mature and develop further their common understanding of technology, capability and business opportunities in the Unmanned Air System (UAS) arena.
This contract is the first UAS contract to come out of the Defence Accord signed at the Anglo-French Summit in November 2010.
BAE Systems, Dassault Aviation and Rolls Royce/Snecma have also signed an industrial agreement to work together in support of this contract.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.