Barracuda UAV technology advances

Published: Feb 14, 2006
Source: www.janes.com



Images of the EADS Barracuda stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrator indicate that the company's work on stealth may have outpaced that of BAE Systems, Saab and Dassault. Barracuda is a much larger, heavier and more sophisticated aircraft than the very small test vehicles that other European companies have unveiled to date.

Barracuda has an estimated wingspan of 8.75 m and an overall length of 9.5 m, in the same class as the 5,500 kg Boeing X-45A demonstrator. It is reportedly powered by a Snecma/Turbomeca Larzac engine, but the size of the exhaust suggests a larger engine (such as the Honeywell F124 used on the X-45A, or a Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour).continue..