|
|
| a |
World
Navy Force News - France / USA |
| |
|
| |
| |
| DCNS
and Thales have overcome a new hurdle for the automatic deck-landing of
UAVs |
| |
DCNS
and Thales today announced the launch of a supplementary phase for the
Technology Demonstration of a system for automatic landing and deck-landing
of UAVs (D2AD), which has just been notified by the French Defence Procurement
Authority (DGA). Sea trials of the demonstrator are planned for 2012
using a French Navy frigate and a Boeing, H-6U Unmanned Little Bird
rotorcraft.
This notification follows on from the successful landing and deck-landing
trials conducted in the United States last June and July using a moving
platform. This new design study is to be conducted in the context of
risk reduction for future tactical UAV programmes to be managed by the
DGA on behalf of the French Navy and the French Army*.
The next trials are aimed at demonstrating automatic deck-landing
of a UAV on the deck of a frigate in total safety even in high sea state
and low visibility.
|
|
 Boeing
H-6U Unmanned Little Bird
(picture: US Marines)
|
|
The system must demonstrate its capability for integration
of all the operational constraints inherent in deck take-offs and landings,
similar to those of piloted helicopters, but in fully automatic mode.
This automatic system for take-off, landing and deck-landing of UAVs
is the fruit of the joint expertise of Thales and DCNS. Thales is responsible
for the positioning system and its interface with the UAV system, the
supply of a UAV demonstrator system and slaving of the flight path along
a trajectory. DCNS is responsible for predicting the vessel motions,
the harpoon system as well as the interface and integration with the
vessel.
The D2AD automatic deck-landing system constitutes a key stage in the
run-up to the use of UAV rotorcraft by naval forces, for operations
over land and sea. It provides innovative high-performance solutions
which meet operational needs. The availability of an automatic on-board
take-off and landing system, without the need for an external pilot,
opens up the possibility of intensive use of UAV rotorcraft, at minimum
cost and a high level of safety.
* SDAM programme: Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine
(UAV system for the navy)
* SDT programme: Système de drone tactique (Tactical UAV system)
|
EADS
Orka VTOL UAV during trials with French Navy