Airbus-Backed Eurodrone Completes Preliminary Review

The Eurodrone program has conducted Wind Tunnel Testing and validated a Digital Twin to successfully perform the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) By William Mackenzie / 23 May 2024

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Airbus-Backed Eurodrone Completes Preliminary Review
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The Eurodrone program, led by Airbus Defence and Space, has successfully performed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). 

This major program milestone has been completed with OCCAR and representatives of the four customer nations (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) in the presence of the three Major Sub-Contractors (MSC), Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo.

The PDR proves that the initial design of the aircraft has consistently matured, paving the way to proceed with the detailed design. It is the outcome of different technical assessments and evaluations conducted, such as:

  • Wind Tunnel Testing: Confirmed the aerodynamic configuration of Eurodrone.
  • Overall Design: Ensured demonstration of operational capability.
  • Digital Twin: The validation of a fully representative Digital Twin.

From the very beginning, the Eurodrone program benefits from both design philosophies – physical and digital. Supported by and based on the knowledge already gathered, the Eurodrone program enters into a new phase to reach the Critical Design Review (CDR), which will represent the final step and closure of architecture and system design.

Provided with innovative cutting-edge technology and designed to become one of the main pillars of any future combat air system, Airbus assert that the Eurodrone will be an indispensable capability to facilitate international conflict prevention and crisis management. It will ensure operational superiority to the nations, especially in the context of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, commented; “Performing the Preliminary Design Review for the development of Eurodrone represents an important step forward for this key European defence programme.

“It shows a real joint effort and collaborative spirit from all industrial partners and the Customer community to ensure European sovereignty and independence in this critical segment of unmanned long endurance ISTAR capability.”

Posted by William Mackenzie Edited by William Mackenzie, Junior Editor and Copywriter practised in digital content creation and writing about defense and marine technology. Connect & Contact

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