EADS Do-DT 25

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Thu-DT 25
EADS DO-DT 25
Type: Target imaging drone
Manufacturer:

Airbus Defense and Space of the Airbus Group (formerly EADS )

The Do-DT 25 is a target display drone manufactured by the Airbus Group (formerly EADS) .

In spring 2002, the BMVg sent an inquiry to EADS regarding a target display drone which can simulate an infrared or heat target. Realistic training for so-called MANPADS should be carried out with a drone of this type . After evaluating the request by EADS, it became clear that a target display drone that could meet the requirements would be almost twice as large as a Do-DT 35 .

To serve as an infrared or heat target, a third jet engine was installed on the nose of the missile. Its hot exhaust gases were directed to the metal nose cone, which heated up as a result. This construction is called "hot nose" and has been patented. To further strengthen the infrared or heat signature, the exhaust gases from the two rear engines are directed at the so-called "cross blades".

The concept of this drone was completed in December 2001. It received the designation Do-DT 25. In June 2002 the Do-DT 25 overcame its first approval hurdles and was qualified in 2003 for the display of flight targets. In June 2003 the drone was used for the first time in the "Baltic Fire" exercise on a Polish firing range near Ustka on the Baltic Sea. At the end of 2004 EADS presented the more powerful version of the Do-DT 25-200 with a revised fuselage and more powerful engines. This allowed the speed range to be extended up to 300 kts (150 m / s, i.e. 540 km / h). This version is used exclusively today.

The start takes place by means of a pneumatic catapult . After the flight, in which the target was not destroyed, the drone lands on a parachute. The navigation during the flight takes place by means of programmed waypoints, which is supported by GPS satellite control. You can also intervene manually in the control.

At the beginning of October 2018, Airbus tested the use of the Do-DT 25 as a drone escort system for combat aircraft (Manned-unmanned Teaming; MUT) over the Baltic Sea and with the support of a Learjet from the Todendorf military training area , for the first time as part of research into modern aerial combat strategies .

Technical specifications

Parameter Data
length 3.0 m
span 2.6 m
Empty mass approx. 60 kg
payload 26 kg
Max. Takeoff mass 144 kg
drive 3 jet engines with 220 N
speed 44–150 m / s (approx. 160–540 km / h)
Flight duration 100-115 min
Summit height up to 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Range 100 km

Web links

Commons : EADS Do-DT 25  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Military research: Airbus tests swarm of drones on the Baltic Sea. Spiegel Online , October 4, 2018, accessed October 6, 2018 .
  2. ↑ Airbus demonstrates manned-unmanned teaming for future air combat systems. airbus.com , October 2, 2018, accessed October 6, 2018 .