At the venue of EDA’s Annual Conference 2010 on “Bridging Efforts – Connecting Civilian Security and Military Capability Development”, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed contracts with two consortia regarding feasibility studies on “Satellite Services for the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into European Airspace”. EDA's Chief Executive, Mr. Alexander Weis, signed one contract with EADS Astrium Services / EADS Defence & Security - Military Air Systems (France) and in parallel ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, Ms Magali Vaissiere, signed a second contract with INDRA Espacio (Spain).
The two studies, worth € 400 k each, will explore the feasibility of a demonstration mission in the timeframe 2010/2011. Close coordination between the two Agencies ensures that both European civilian and defence actors will benefit from the use of multiple integrated space systems as enablers for cost-effective, sustainable and competitive UAS services in the future.
In particular, the studies will look at:
- The feasibility and the overall planning for a UAS mission, demonstrating that UAS can be integrated into non-segregated airspace using satellite communications and satellite navigation for Command and Control, Sense and Avoid, and Air Traffic Control, and the added value of satellite communications for high data rate payload links.
- The viability of such a solution for future services based on UAS supported by space systems.
- The investments necessary in the future and the next steps required in technical and regulatory terms to effectively establish such a service.
- The roadmap for civilian, security and military services development.
Building on their respective work in the areas of UAS Air Traffic Insertion and Satellite-UAS cooperative missions, EDA and ESA have joined forces since the start of 2009 to demonstrate that technological challenges in Command and Control / Air Traffic Control can be overcome through the use of satellite services.
EDA Chief Executive Mr. Alexander Weis highlighted “the cooperative spirit between the two organisations, bringing about benefits for both civilian and defence stakeholders to get best value for money”. Referring to the overall topic of EDA’s Annual Conference, he further stressed the need for concrete synergies and result-oriented projects to effectively connect Civilian Security and Military Capability Development. In this context EDA’s initiative on a ‘European Framework Cooperation’ aims at systematically reaping the benefits of working together with partners such as the European Commission and ESA, including the strategic research area of UAS for air traffic insertion by 2015.
ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, Ms Magali Vaissiere stressed the importance of demonstrating the use of space-based services for new user communities outside the space domain. She pointed out that the subject of the studies is an excellent example of how integration of space assets into other systems can be used in order to respond to and fulfil actual user needs. Given that satellite services could significantly contribute to paving the way for a broad range of civil and commercial UAS applications, she also stressed the multi disciplinary character of the initiative, the expected synergy between civil and security applications, and thus the importance of a coordinated approach between EDA, ESA and their respective Member States.
Picture: (From left to right) Nicolas Chamussy - Senior Vice President Mission Air Systems (EADS Defence & Security), Eric Béranger - Chief Executive Oficer (EADS Astrium Services), Alexander Weis - Chief Executive (European Defence Agency), Magali Vaissiere - Director of Telecommunications & Integrated Applications (European Space Agency), José María Martí Fluxá - General Manager (INDRA Espacio) and Carlos Belmonte - Director Telecom and Navigation Solutions (INDRA Espacio).