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Aerial Vehicles (AVs) remain the most dynamic segment of the aerospace market. They stole the limelight from more established technologies at the 2003 Paris, France air show. Nevertheless, they are still a relatively small segment of the aerospace market, about $1.25 billion in research and production funding in 2003. What attracts so much attention is the potential for a major expansion. A recent study of the worldwide unmanned AV (UAV) market concluded that U.S. spending on UAVs amounted to about 73% of worldwide research and production spending in 2003. The U.S. has dominated this market in recent years due, in part, to the depth of research and wide range of production programs.

The article reports on the scheduled flight of Great Britain's Taranis unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator by 2010, with the French-led Neuron to follow in 2011. Both will use the same model of Rolls-Royce Adour engine--though ironically, propulsion is one area that is underfunded by both nations in terms of future development. Europe will conceivably be in a position to begin fielding operational UCAV toward the end of the next decade, but both programs already build on years of predominantly classified research and development.

The article offers world news briefs related to navies. The Ministry of Defence of Great Britain has granted a 3.4 million contract to BAE Systems for the development of Royal Navy ships. Helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter has declared the purchase of two EC225 by the French Defence Ministry for the Navy of France. Kockums AB has conducted trials for its Swedish military Piraya unmanned surface vehicles (USV).

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 focuses on the opportunities offered by the French government defense spending hike to the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry. Thales is aiming to increase its client portfolio by offering UAV programs to France and other countries. Survey Copter of France continues to produce an additional unmanned aircraft products including vertical take-off and landing aircraft. French UAV sector is expected to improve, following the increase in French operations in Afghanistan.

The article highlights the Eurosatory defense exhibition held in Paris, France, in June 2006, and examines the latest developments in the unmanned systems community globally. The latest addition to the Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) family were featured at the event, including the Skylark II, an upscaled version of the previous Skylark I system. Meanwhile, the Saab stand revealed the Skeldar V-150.

Evaluates worldwide programs for strategic unmanned aerial vehicles. Frontier Systems A160 Hummingbirds of the U.S.; EADS/IAI EAGLE of Israel and France; EADS/Northrop Grumman EURO Hawk of Germany and the U.S. INSET: ELINT Demonstration at Nordholz.

Presents information on the HORIZON heliborne radar and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used in the Intelligence Implementation Center (INTEL IC) of the French Army. Features of HORIZON system; Importance of HORIZON to the Army; Description of middle altitude long endurance UAV; Missions of the INTEL IC.

The article features the drone aircrafts presented at the 2009 Le Bourget air show in Paris, France. The Harop, which is designed and constructed by IAI, is a long-endurance drone equipped with an electro-optical gimballed camera and infrared sensor to have a full hemispherical view of the land below. It also describes other drone aircrafts featured in the exhibition, including Northrop Grumman Global Hawk, Sagem Patroller, and Hermes 90 model from Elbit Systems.

This section offers news briefs on the aircraft industry. The 48th Paris air show was held in June 2009 at Le Bourget in France. Northrop Grumman is developing a vertical-take-off-and-landing unmanned cargo aircraft. Aviation Capital Group is working with Civil Aviation Finance Holding to create an aircraft leasing firm in Egypt.

The article reports that the French Navy has a road map for adding tactical, long-endurance and perhaps armed unmanned aerial vehicles to its operations. The basic technological requirements were not available with the French Navy. How a tactical system would fit in with other naval requirements, such as surface and submarine drones was also an issue to ponder on. A 12-18-month study to find out whether naval and army tactical needs can be met with a single system was the thing to do in the new road map.

The article presents information on the plans of France to build an unmanned long-endurance reconnaissance aircraft. A top-level review of the country's unmanned aerial vehicle strategy recommends pursuing the French-led collaborative medium-altitude long-endurance program, known as EuroMALE, but only if it is modified, and more countries actually sign up. The bipartisan report drafted by two French senators, Philippe Nogrix and Maryse Berge-Lavigne terms performance of the company EAD in preparing EuroMALE as worrying, especially when compared with the French-led Neuron combat UAV program, contracted to Dassault Aviation SA last month.

The article reports that France will embark on full-scale design of technology demonstrators for an unmanned combat aerial vehicle and an electromagnetic intelligence satellite system, following contract awards last week. French armaments agency DGA signed a $482-million contract for the unmanned combat aerial vehicle, known as Neuron, with an industrial team headed by Dassault Aviation. The Mach 0.8, 6-metric ton, 10-meter-long vehicle, powered by a single Adour engine, will feature a largely composite low-observable flying wing design, with two internal weapons bays, data relays and perhaps an all-weather sensor.

The article reports that development snags and persisting disagreement over force requirements and deployment strategies are undermining French attempts to help forge a European road map for unmanned aerial vehicles. Plans for upgrading and expanding operational programs remain in limbo, beginning with attempts to field new-generation tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems to complement and eventually replace the Sagem Sperwer. The army sees UAVs as an adjunct of its Boa land warfare system, for which a demonstration award was issued last month.

Reports on Dassault Aviation SA's exploration of the use of the Rafale fighter as a flight leader to direct and coordinate an attack by unmanned combat air vehicles and to control unmanned aerial vehicles. Types of missions targeted for the aircraft; Examples of Rafale-led attacks; Computer technology required to make the flight leader role possible.

This article reports that France plans to test the Sagem Patroller unmanned air vehicle for use in fire-fighting and other civil defense tasks. The tests will be conducted by France's interior ministry's civil defense security division over the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and will involve a single aircraft that will be controlled from the Canjeurs army base in Provence.

The article reports on a study launched by France to determine how it will pursue the development of an operational unmanned combat air vehicle. Such work will determine the future on the Neuron program, a multinational effort led by Dassault designed to determine the status of the air force's Future Combat Air System (FCAS). A key driver of the program is the development of a highly stealthy design. Both Alenia and Saab are involved in the program.

The article reports on the efforts of France to deploy improved fire support and reconnaissance kit to Afghanistan. In September 2008, the French government decided to dispatch more rotorcraft, unmanned air vehicles (UAV), signals intelligence systems and ground weaponry following a mission in August where 10 French soldiers died in an ambush. Preparations are also underway for the first operational deployment of the French Système Intérimaire de Drone MALE (SIDM) interim medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV.

The article reports that Dessault has completed the first fully autonomous flight of the AVE-D demonstrator. The flight took place on June 30, 2008 near Toul, France. The first flight of an Aéronefs de Validation Expérimentale (AVE) program demonstrator took place in 2000. The vehicles are being used to validate unmanned vehicle concepts. The AVE-D flight is supposed to support work on the Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator. The flight trials are being performed for the French armaments agency, DGA.

The article focuses on the possibility of a collaboration between Great Britain and France for an unmanned combat aerial vehicle propulsion and future families of anti-air and anti-armor missile programs. The joint work will involved Rolls-Royce and Snecma. Both countries are currently developing applicable technologies. According to Patrick Auroy, deputy chief executive of the French armament agency, both countries are close to launching an architectural study for the Multi-Role Combat Missile.

This section offers news briefs concerning aeronautics. French President Nicolas Sarkozy failed to clinch a Rafale combat aircraft sale to Morocco. The French air force will start training operators for its long-delayed SIDM interim medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle fleet in November 2007. Eurocopter plans to employ its new EC135 trainer in the second quarter of 2008.

A calendar of events related to the aviation industry is presented. The World Maritime Rescue Congress & Exhibition 2007 will be held at the Quality Hotel 11 in Gotenborg, Sweden from June 3-8, 2007. UV Europe Unmanned Vehicles Conference, Exhibition & Awards will be held at the Meridien Etoile Hotel in Paris, France from June 14-15, 2007. The National Aviation Hall of Fame Reception/Ceremony will be held in Dayton, Ohio from July 20-21, 2007.

The article deals with a study on unmanned aerial vehicles to be conducted by the French Ministry of Defense. It will examine topics such as employment of small unmanned aerial vehicles in an urban setting, vehicle autonomy and guidance and control. Technological aspects would be evaluated via demonstration efforts.

The article reports that the French military is exploring fitting endurance unmanned aircraft with infrared sensors, with the goal of enhancing active missile defense systems' abilities to detect incoming ballistic missiles and cue countermeaures. The sensor, called Mirador, would be carried by a medium- or high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft.

The article reports that the Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle passed its initial program review, following a six-month feasibility study. The review, involving major industrial partners, including Dassault Aviation, Alenia Aeronautica and Saab and their government clients, locked in the mold-line configuration for the demonstrator. The French air force's interim medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, the SIDM, made its first formal flight, ending a long wait stemming from development headaches and contractual problems with the main subcontractor, Israel Aircraft Industries.

The article reports that apart from United States, other countries have also entered into the manufacture of new ducted-fan, vertical takeoff-and-landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for use by dismounted infantry. Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd. began flight tests in May 2005 of its gas engine-powered Fantail 5000, which can lean over and fly horizontally like an airplane, up to a speed of 60 kt. France's Sagem is developing a very-short-range, ducted-fan mini-UAV called Odin.

This article presents information on the French initiative to build a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle with the involvement of the European Union. This is based on a different version of the Israel Aircraft Industries called Eagle-2. France is interested in involving Germany. French officials are likely to convince Berlin that EuroMALE could meet the UAV requirement for the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance System.

This article reports that the Swedish military wants to buy a tactical unmanned aircraft system to support its expanding European security commitment. The procurement initiative that should unfold in the coming months makes Sweden the latest of several European countries to enter a UAV renewal cycle. After having bought tactical UAV systems in the 1990s when those started to gain popularity with Western militaries, several countries such as France, Great Britain, and now Sweden are looking for replacement systems that better fit future needs.

The article focuses on the 2005 Paris air show. Heart-pounding flight demonstrations by front-line U.S., European and Russian fighter aircraft helped create an atmosphere that seemed charged from one end of Le Bourget to the other. Major engine manufacturers announced development initiatives at the show held in Paris, France, in anticipation of a new generation of 100-200-seat jets early in the next decade. In the military arena, unmanned combat aerial vehicles seemed to command most of the attention. Technology demonstrators from both sides of the Atlantic were on display.

Reports on the inauguration of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs in France. Purchase value of the multisensor multimission system; Range of tactical and theater applications; Maintenance cost of the UAV.

Reports that French firm Sagem SA has started marketing a high-speed turbojet-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and upgraded version of its Sperwer piston-driven UAV for reconnaissance flights. Detection and targeting of hostile laser sights; Features and capabilities; Purchases and orders for the planes.

The article discusses the undergoing sea trials of the experimental unmanned vessel Sterenn Du off the western tip of Britanny on behalf of France's Delegation Generale pour l'Armement and the French Navy. Sterenn Du is created to be an unmanned mothership capable of handling smaller unmanned vessels that will be able to search, classify, and destroy mines. The move of Israel Navy to purchase a sixth Dolphin II-class submarine from Germany is discussed.

The article provides an update on drones as an extension of the Eurosatory Show Report. The performance validation trials of this French interim male drone is described, which had taken place at Mont-de-Marsan. The Système Intérimaire de Drone Male (Sidm) development contract is discussed along with the function of the drone under it. A controversy at the Eurosatory is mentioned which was created by the presence of Système de Drone Male (SDM) on Dassault's stand. Other drones are cited like the Sperwer Mk2 and Sky Warrior Block Os. INSET: All-Euro Neuron.

The article discusses the development of technologies for miniature robotic aircraft, including by Onera, France's national aeronautics centre. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have evolved from military use to civilian uses for police, firefighters and surveyors. The increased use of UAVs has raised concerns about safety and privacy.

The article features the Gryf small explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot unveiled by Polish unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) manufacturer PIAP at the 2012 Eurosatory exhibition held in Paris, France. The Gryf is based on PIAP's Scout platform and is an improved version of the company's larger medium-Ibis-UGV. The robotic arm of the robot provides seven degrees of freedom including a manual telescopic extension.

The article reports that eSDT has developed the Margouillant mini unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for the French Army's special forces. The UGV promises to offer close-renaissance capability and to withstand drops of up to five meters. It can be controlled via a long tethered connection or a digital datalink.

The article reports on the plan of the French Centre d'essais en vol (CEV) to display its Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the 2009 Paris Air Show in France. The aircraft aims to get the French naval contract and has undergone flight test program. Camcopter is set to be the first UAV to perform in that exhibition. Schiebel has conducted flight trials for Turkey and other Asian armed forces.

The article reports that France's Ministry of Defence has awarded a five-month study contract for the analysis of the legal framework relative to the use of light Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) by the country's homeland security forces. The study will be conducted by the firms UVS International and UAS Consulting & Services.

The article reports on the confirmation by the French Navy that it has conducted simulation-based exercises in 2007 to explore how it would respond to the threat of hostile unmanned air systems (UAS). The key focus of the experiments was to make tactical data link information visible up to the most senior levels and to see how command groups and squadrons can manage maritime and air security and safety.

The article reports that Fugro Singapore accepted the delivery of OCTANS 1000 from France-based IXSEA, part of an order of eight OCTANS for their FCV 3000 work-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems. The ROV is a deepwater ROV capable of undertaking complex underwater intervention tasks at water depths up to 3,000 meters below sea level.

The article provides information on micro and nano technologies as the topics discussed at the Caneus 2006 Conference in Toulouse, France. Micro and nano technologies promote the growth of commercial satellite, space-probe, unmanned-vehicle, and military applications across the globe. Nanotechnology will also factor in stronger and more durable materials for future space missions. In addition, researchers are underway to create nano materials that can both detect and resist chemical weapons for environmental safety.

Presents information on the 2005 aeronautics exhibition in Paris, France. Launch of the Airbus 380 airliner; Presence of unmanned air vehicle sector in the event; Aerospace businesses of Finmeccanica.

Reports on France's plan to develop high-speed tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (AUV). Funding for AUV; Combat doctrine of France; Performance standards for AUV.