European MALE RPAS

Mock-up of EuroMALE at the ILA 2018

The European MALE RPAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted air system) , often referred to as EuroMALE or Eurodrone , is a project to develop a European drone of the same name for ground and sea surveillance. Four European nations (Germany, France, Italy and Spain) are involved in the project, with development being primarily led by Airbus Defense and Space as contractors, with Dassault and Leonardo as subcontractors.

The development of the EuroMALE goes back to a proposal by OCCAR , which called for a European drone program under the name “ MALE 2020 ” in 2013 after the Cassidian Talarion in 2012 and the civilian use of the Euro-Hawk in the wake of the affair of the same name had failed. At this point in time, the need for MALE drones, which can provide real-time reconnaissance in the target area for a long time at medium altitude, was already very high. a. the operations in Afghanistan showed. Despite the high demand, there was no European model available, only the American MQ-9 Reaper , which was purchased by Great Britain, France and Italy, and the Israeli Heron , which was leased by the German armed forces . As drone technology is seen as a key element in future defense policy, there was a need to develop a European model from an industrial policy perspective. To this end, Germany, France, Italy and Spain signed a declaration of intent for joint development in May 2015. The official start of the program was in September 2016. The first EuroMALE mock-up was presented at ILA 2018 .

The Cassidian gown was used as the starting point for the EuroMALE. However, turboprop engines are now used instead of jet engines and the horizontal stabilizer is designed in a T-shape. Compared to the American MQ-9 Reaper, the EuroMALE is more than twice as heavy and has a higher payload . There is also an EO / IR sensor on the bow.

The ability to arm precision-guided ammunition through the MBDA is provided.

In March 2019, the EU Commission provided 100 million euros for the further development of the Eurodrone.