Falco UAV flies with new radar fit

March 11, 2013 by Craig Hoyle – FG

London - Selex ES has performed a series of flight trials with a Falco unmanned air vehicle modified to carry its Gabbiano T-20 radar.

Performed in Bulgaria, the test activity demonstrated the lightweight payload's ground and sea surveillance modes, including through the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse SAR imaging. The latter capability would be of use during maritime patrol and search and rescue missions, the company says.

"At up to 160nm [296km] over sea and ground, the Gabbiano was able to provide air-to-surface surveillance modes and high-resolution imaging information," Selex ES says. "The successful combination of our Falco and Gabbiano product families will allow Selex ES to provide a more versatile tactical UAV solution for typical MALE [medium-altitude, long-endurance] multisensor missions."

Integrating the new sensor required only an adaptation to the aircraft's nose bay, according to the manufacturer.

Separately, Selex ES has also unveiled a new directed infrared countermeasures system called Miysis, which it says will be suitable for carriage by UAVs, small helicopters and light aircraft. The self-protection equipment will have a system weight of less than 50kg (110lb), it says.