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The EADS Barracuda is a jet powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) currently under development by EADS, intended for the role of aerial reconnaissance and also combat (like UCAV).[1] The aircraft is a joint venture between Germany and Spain.

Barracuda
Role	Reconnaissance and UCAV Type of aircraft
National origin	Germany and Spain
Manufacturer	EADS
First flight	2 April 2006

Development of the project was stopped after the first prototype crashed at sea while approaching for landing during a test flight.[2] The program was resumed in 2008, with a second prototype being completed in November 2008. The rebuilt Barracuda underwent a series of successful flight tests in Goose Bay, Canada during July 2009,[3] followed by further flight campaigns in 2010[4] and 2012.[5]

The Barracuda is primarily in competition with the Dassault nEUROn for strategic and defensive contracts. Both are stealthy and have a maximum air speed of around Mach 0.85. While Germany and Spain are behind the Barracuda, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain are funding the nEUROn.[6] Not much is known about the Barracuda as it is still in development; however, it is thought to have an operating ceiling of around 20,000 ft (6,096 m) and carries a maximum payload of 300 kg.[7]

Development

The Barracuda originated as a UAV design study, intended to push EADS into the market for medium-altitude long-range UAVs, a market they view as dominated by the United States and Israel.[8] Its development began in 2003, with its official debut at the 2006 International Aerospace Exhibition, where military applications and specifications for the Barracuda were revealed.[9] The Barracuda crashed during a 2006 test flight, which put the project on hold until 2008.[9] EADS' current focus is to get the Barracuda certified for unregulated flight in Germany's designated airspace, while the long-term goal is to have it certified for non-segregated airspace.[10]

They also plan to develop the Barracuda as a modular platform, so that it can be refitted for various roles like maritime patrol.[11] Offensive capabilities are not planned, but it may be refitted to carry weapons if customers express interest for it. The Barracuda may also be capable of carrying weapon systems. The systems would be installed in the central payload bay.

Germany is also discussing a partnership with Sweden and Italy for a multinational unmanned aerial vehicle effort in order to compete with the French-led Dassault nEUROn programme.[12] Spain, Italy and Sweden are already participants in the French-led effort.[13]

The Barracuda's maiden flight took place in April, 2006 at a remote location on the Iberian Peninsula.[14] The flight was a success but the prototype crashed into the water during a test flight just off the Spanish coast on September 23, 2006.

Design

This article needs to be updated. (January 2010)

The Barracuda is based on commercially available 'off the shelf' components, but also many refined systems.[9] Its fuselage is constructed entirely from carbon fibre,[6] but also has a greater strength to weight ratio than traditional aircraft materials such as aluminum (the structure of the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing 787 Dreamliner are also made significantly out of it).[9] The only significant metal component is the wing spar, running through the middle and reinforcing the wings. The wing spar allows for easy removal of the wings for transportation. The Barracuda uses a specially shaped fuselage, including S-duct air inlet and V-tail, to scatter deflected radar, rendering the UCAV stealthy.[6]

Specifications

Data from [7]

General characteristics

• Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 7.22 m (23 ft 8 in)
• Empty weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,250 kg (7,165 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney JT15D turbofan engine, 14 kN (3,100 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 1,041 km/h (647 mph, 562 kn)
• Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
• Range: 200 km (120 mi, 110 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft) ~

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• BAE Systems Taranis
• Dassault nEUROn
• General Atomics Avenger
• Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie
• Lockheed Martin RQ-3 DarkStar
• BAE Systems Corax
• HAL CATS Warrior

References

Sources

• Schwarz, Karl (July 2006). "Barracuda takes to the air". Flug Revue: 54. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-06-02.

External links

• EADS Cassidian Barracuda page
• Air-Attack.com's page on the Barracuda

На других языках

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[de] Cassidian Barracuda

Die Barracuda ist ein deutsch-spanisches Test- und Forschungsflugzeug für ein unbemanntes militärisches Luftfahrzeug (Drohne) von Airbus Defence and Space.

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- [en] EADS Barracuda

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[fr] EADS Barracuda

Le Barracuda, mis au point par EADS Military Air Systems, aujourd'hui Cassidian, est un démonstrateur de drone de combat (ou UCAV, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) fruit d'une coopération germano-espagnole. Les détails du programme sont particulièrement secrets[1].

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[it] EADS Barracuda

L'EADS Barracuda è un velivolo a pilotaggio remoto europeo attualmente in fase di sviluppo da parte dell'EADS, destinato al ruolo di ricognizione aerea e combattimento.[1] L'aeromobile è frutto di una collaborazione tra Germania e Spagna.

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[ru] Barracuda (БПЛА)

Barracuda (рус. «Барракуда») — разведывательный БПЛА совместной германо-испанской разработки. Главным разработчиком является компания Cassidian, подразделение Европейского аэрокосмического и оборонного концерна EADS. Первый полёт Barracuda состоялся 2 апреля 2006 года.

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