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The article reports on the development of unmanned cargo aircraft in Europe. The European Commission (EC) published "Towards a European strategy for the development of civil applications of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)," in which it concluded that the market for RPAS is practically nonexistent. U.S. President Barack Obama ordered that full integration of unmanned air systems into U.S. national airspace should be completed by September 2015.

The article explores the possibility of a joint unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) program in Europe. Both Great Britain and France are reportedly working on UCAV technology demonstrator/prototype programs but with different priorities. The author says that France's Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program is set to take the place of Dassault Rafale manned fighters. He cites that Great Britain's Taranis is linked to deep and persistent offensive capability requirement. He also mentions that the two nations are looking into possible UCAV partnership.

The article suggests that Europe appears to hold a leading position in the lighter segment of the rotary-wing aircraft market. It reveals that more than 100 Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Austria have been ordered by several countries including the U.S., Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. It highlights the advantages offered by smaller rotary-wing UAVs.

Reports on the Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) program in Europe. Cost of the contract that has been awarded by the French government to Dassault Aviation for the development of the Neuron UCAV; Involvement of SAAB in the project; Possible participation of Germany in the Neuron program.

Reports on the network centric warfare initiatives of European companies for unmanned systems used in military aviation as of July 16, 2002. Capabilities of the JAS39 Gripen unmanned aircraft; Facts on the creation of unmanned air vehicles; Problems in the reliability of unmanned systems.

The article reports that Europe may be gearing up to develop a new generation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with Germany taking a lead role, but there is still a steady flow of U.S. and Israeli platforms entering the inventories of European militaries. Four nations -- France, Germany, Italy and Spain -- have now signed up to develop a European medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAS to enter service in the mid-2020s.

This section offers news briefs on the European aviation industry as of June 2009. The risk-reduction phase for the advanced medium-altitude unmanned aircraft has been completed by EADS. Great Britain's government has allowed BAE System to propose another Nimrod MRA4-based design as a replacement for the Royal Air Force's Nimrod R1 communications and electronic intelligence aircraft. AeroLogic has received its air operators certificate from the German civil aviation authority (LBA).

This section offers news briefs related to the aerospace industries in Europe. The Competition Commission in Great Britain has found competitive problems at each of the British Airports Authority's (BAA) seven airports. Qinetiq is building a revised configuration of its Zephyr high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). London, England, has signed for three Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft to allow it to participate fully in the operational test and evaluation phase of the program.

This section offers news briefs related to the aerospace industries in Europe. Eighteen people were rescued after their Super Puma helicopter accidentally dived in the North Sea on February 18, 2009. Majority of the 12 Paveway 4 GPS/laser-guided bombs were successfully dropped by the Royal Navy Harrier GR9 in Afghanistan. France's SIDM medium-altitude long-endurance UAV deployed in Afghanistan will receive Ku-band up- and downlink bandwidth, after the completion of an agreement between Astrium Services and the French armed forces.

The article reports on the plan of European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) to outline how unmanned aircraft system (UAS) will be integrated into the European air traffic management (ATM) system. Eurocontrol aims to set the stage for military and civil unmanned aircraft flight across Europe. Its effort is being coordinated closely with two industry-government committees that are working on how to certify UAS: the European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment's Working Group and Special Committee 203 of RTCA.

This section offers news briefs related to the aircraft industry in the Americas. The U.S. Air Force has ordered six more Predator-B unmanned aircraft in the MQ-9 Reaper configuration. The unit revenue of Frontier Airlines increased 9.3% in August 2007 over the same period in 2006. Cessna Aircraft has delivered the first Citation Mustang to a European customer.

The article reports that Dassault Aviation SA unveiled a full-scale mockup of a unmanned vehicle demonstrator, the Neuron, in Europe in the presence of French President Jacques Chirac and high-level representatives from other partner nations. Dassault Chairman/CEO Charles Edelstenne says that rather than renegotiate workshare, program leaders would probably use additional partners to expand the scope of the program, for instance, by adding payload development activities. The model for Neuron, according to Edelstenne, will be Dassault's new ultra-long-range 7X business jet program, with its virtual development platform and product life-cycle management environment.

Explores the development of a civil unmanned air vehicle (UAV) industry in Europe in May 2005 through the UAVNET roadmap of the European Commission. Countries which are committed to some form of national strategic locus on civil UAV; Significance of the roadmap to the creation of a European aeronautics sector; Contribution of the UAVNET to the growth of the UAV market.

Focuses on the efforts of the European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS) Co. to boost its market share in the defense industry. Financial performance of the company in 2003; Responsibilities of the Military Transport Aircraft division; Reasons for the decision of EADS not to develop its own unmanned air vehicles.

Reports that Europe is firmly establishing itself in second place in unmanned air vehicle (UAV) development. Information on Eagle MALE UAV from EADS; Expectation about the combined European UAV market by 2007; Way of EADS to promote its vision for the development of UAV operation in Europe.

The article reports on the guidelines for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Europe drafted by Eurocontrol. The organization devised 31 specifications for UAVs to be integrated into the air traffic management system. If followed, these guidelines should allow unimpeded use of UAVs alongside civil aviation, the agency asserts.

This section offers news briefs on aviation. The Swedish army has acquired six Elbit Systems Skylark I mini-unmanned aerial vehicles designated as Falken. Boeing has sold 13 of its new 787-9 jets configured for VIP transport to royalty in the Middle East and individuals in Europe and Asia. Maxwell Technologies will provide the single-board computers (SBC) for the Gaia astronomy mission of the European Space Agency.

The article discusses the efforts of the European aircraft industry and other groups to pursue greater access to civil airspace for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Peter Van Blyenburgh, president of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, explained the purpose of Coordinated Future Autonomous Systems Technologies (C-FAST). The European Aviation Safety Agency is also working with other groups regarding UAVs and unmanned aircraft systems.

The article reports on the development of the Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) of Europe. The Neuron UCAV is poised to enter design phase. Planners envision follow-on to the 10-year demonstration program. A French-led effort to develop a stealthy UCAV is set to move into high gear as engineers begin to prepare detailed definition of the Neuron demonstrator. For the six partner nations, Neuron is a major attempt to explore what uses a UCAV capability might serve.

The article offers news briefs concerning the aviation and space technology industries in Europe. SITA has activated a system for filtering passenger information for European Union airlines and other carriers flying from Europe to North America. The Royal Air Force Air Warfare Center will integrate the BAE Systems Herti unmanned aerial vehicle into military exercises.

Unmanned stealth aircraft, directed-energy weapons and computer attack are or will become staples in the arsenal of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. They are part of the equation that will let the U.S. close bases in Europe, cut the number of troops there, and yet retain the ability to strike swiftly anywhere in the world. With the help of the aircraft the U.S. will have the ability to infiltrate computer files for intelligence gathering or take over as administrator of an enemy network that controls where sensors are pointed.

Europe has okayed an action plan for a new dual-use Earth-observing network and approved a package of critical launcher initiatives, averting a major crisis in its sputtering space program. The European Space Agency's governing council voted to release funding for a series of measures intended to put Europe's launcher program on a sounder technical and economic footing and lay the groundwork for next-generation vehicles. The European Guaranteed Access to Space (EGAS) program, designed to increase public support for launch activities.

The British Defense Ministry is set to decline any French overture to collaborate on a Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle(UCAV), a move that may mark a watershed in Europe's development of next-generation combat platforms. France is looking to place an unmanned combat air vehicle at the very heart of a multinational military air combat systems effort, the European Technology Acquisition Program (ETAP). The remaining ETAP partners, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden, are highly unlikely to be given similar access to the U.S. technology, with political and industrial imperatives propelling the development of a European UCAV, but without British participation at the national level.

This article focuses on the move by defense companies in Europe and the Middle East to make drone aircraft. Schiebel of Austria has secured the tenth customer for its Camcopter S-100 with sales exceeding 100. The French Navy have shown interest in Schiebel's Camcopter S-100. Israel's Rafael has also unveiled its Panther fixed-wring aircraft drone designed to carry a Minipop day/night stabilised camera with a laser rangefinder.

The article discusses the effort of the Ministers of Defence in Germany, France, and Spain to stress their will to cooperate in the establishment of the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) programme, TALARION. It notes that TALARION is an unmanned aerial reconnaissance system that is capable of delivering uninterrupted, precise data of operational areas or territories under all weather conditions at all times. It will decisively enhance protection and security of the Armed Forces.

The article discusses the development of unmanned combat air vehicles in the U.S. and Europe. With the termination of the U.S. Air Force/Navy Joint Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle programme, the U.S. Navy has issued a request for proposal for a $1.9 billion, six-year technology demonstration programme. Europe, on the other hand, is still focusing on the Dassault-led, six tonne Neuron that has gained France's support.

The article reports on the Neuron program whose aim is to develop an unmanned combat aircraft demonstrator which will pave the way for Europe's defense aviation future. The reason why the French DGA is in charge of the program is given. The signatory countries of the program are mentioned. The cost and the timetable of the program are detailed.

Describes the efforts of several European defense companies to develop their own design of drone aircraft as of October 2005. Previous attempts by the European defense industry to develop drones; Successful flight of the Fire Scout developed by Northrop Grumman; Vertivision's idea of using the existing manned Colibri to turn it into a drone.

The article focuses on the growth of the unmanned air vehicles (UAV) market from 2001 to 2010, with an estimated value of 17.9 billion U.S. dollars in 10 years. Larry Dickerson of Forecast International noted the insatiable demand for UAV which is driving massive market growth. All air vehicles, ground control equipment and payloads to be produced between 2009 and 2018 will comprise the 17.9 billion UAV reconnaissance market. Next to the U.S., European countries have the largest markets for UAV such as France, Germany and Italy.

The article focuses on the lack of funding support for the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicles (UAV) for Europe which is considered to be marketable for international costumers. It mentions that without the commitment of the participating countries, EADS NV cannot continue to self-fund the Talarion UAV project. It says that self-funding and development of the programmes will still be difficult even if the chief executives of the industry are optimistic.

The article reports on the worldwide impact of Iran's ballistic missile ambitions. It mentions that it shifted U.S. Department of Defense' strategy to protect Europe from Iranian missile attack. It states that it also stimulated the restructuring of its defensive plans to de-emphasize the use of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system. It adds that its driven the Missile Defense Agency to explore how to use medium-wave infrared sensors on unmanned aerial vehicles.

The article reports on the changes in the functions and missions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with the U.S. government spending. It states that the government will globally spend on UAV, which will be carried out by Northrop Grumman and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. Meanwhile, it states that interest in Europe continues to grow, although its UAV market is much smaller than the U.S. sector. In addition, France wants other European nations to launch a joint UAV effort.

The article discusses issues concerning the Euromale medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle development programme of EADS. Most work on the project within EADS has been halted, with negotiations and lobbying for the launch of a common European replacement MALE project dominating the behind-the-scenes industry discussions during Farnborough air show. At least two rival proposals are now manoeuvering to capture the interests of European governments.

The article reports that seven European nations, including Sweden, Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, France, and Belgium, agreed to combine national research efforts to develop a prototype unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) by 2011. Belgium decided at the last minute to join the group through its national firm Sociétés Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques.

The article presents an outlook for the development of a European market for civil unmanned air vehicles (UAV) in 2009. It identifies restraints to the development of the civil UAV market. It presents information on the establishment of a European Commission civil UAV coordinating organization. It also offers information on the organization's cost-reduction concepts.

Provides news and information concerning the European Air Force as of November 2002. Initial operational capability achieved by the British Royal Air Force; Signing of a cooperation agreement between Russia and Poland on the Polish MiG-29 modernization program; Development of France's unmanned aerial vehicles.

The article presents the demonstration projects integrated for remotely piloted systems (RPAS) into non-segregated airspace representing 38 partners from eight countries including France, Germany and Italy. It states that the project will comprise the present Single European Sky Air Traffic Management (ATM) Research (SESAR) activities including airborne spacing and separation. It also provides an overview of the integrated pre-operational flight trials demonstration activities.

The article reports on the plan of EADS NV to secure a production commitment by the end of 2009 from the three partners of its Talarion unmanned air vehicle project in Europe. The plan of the company aims to attract involvement from countries including Great Britain. According to the article, the company has already spent more than 500 million euros on the pursuit of Talarion systems.

The article focuses on the effect of the introduction of robotics technology on the use of unmanned weapons systems in the U.S. military according to the book "Wired for War," by P. W. Singer. It mentions the increased competition faced by U.S. military robotics. According to a survey of military robotics, Japan and Europe are ahead of the U.S. in legged robot research.

The article reports on the intention of Italy and Germany to purchase unarmed General Atomics MQ-9/Predator Bs from the U.S. government, increasing the stakes in the active European market for medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air systems. According to the author, the requests highlight a key step in General Atomics' six-year-old campaign to sell the MQ-9 as a MALE solution for Europe.

The article reports on the unsuccessful attempt of Europeans to develop an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) due to the shortage of government funds. According to the article, European military authorities appear to be committed to developing UAV in light of the new threats posed by the end of the Cold War.