This content now requires a Defence Insight® subscription to access

Our Executive Outlook content requires a Basic-level or higher Defence Insight® subscription to access.

Not a subscriber? Explore your options here

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

Euronaval 10: French Navy rough sea VTOL UAV landing tests to begin next year

26th October 2010 - 16:40 GMT | by Tony Osborne

RSS

The landing system which allows the British Army’s Watchkeeper UAV to make a safe touch down is being adapted to allow VTOL landings on warships in heavy seas.

Thales Magic ATOLS (automatic take-off and landing) system will be used in trials next year to land an unmanned Boeing AH-6U Little Bird light helicopter on the back of a French warship in the Mediterranean.

This will be preceded by a series of tests on land on a moving platform. The idea is to be able to repeatedly and safely land a VTOL UAV on the back of a ship in conditions

Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®

A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.

LEARN MORE

Author

Tony Osborne

Tony was deputy editor of Defence Helicopter and Rotorhub magazines before joining Aviation Week in …

Read full bio

More from Defence Helicopter

Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine

Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook

Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut

Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter

The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters

The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest

Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.