|
|
От
|
Venik
|
|
|
К
|
All
|
|
|
Дата
|
12.12.2000 17:15:44
|
|
|
Рубрики
|
Современность; ВВС;
|
|
Французы стэлсом играются
Dassault Aeronef Validation Experimentale
"ON OCTOBER 3 Dassault's Vice-Chairman, Bruno
RevelIin-Falcoz, unveiled the AVE (Aeronef Validation
Experimentale), a subscale experimental stealthy
unmanned air vehicle (UAV). The AVE has a
wingspan of 7ft 10in (2.4m) and is 6ft 6in (2.0m) long,
is powered by a pair of AMT engines and has an
empty weight of 77lb (35kg). Top speed is quoted as
being Mach 0.5. Dassault Aviation handled design,
production engineering, overall validation and production of the ,sensitive' elements,
while the talents of Aviation Design, a company which builds scale models and
aerial targets, were also used. Designed to test
technology and operational concepts to be used by UAVs, the AVE also
demonstrates very low-observable qualities, a sphere in which the Europeans have
lagged far behind the Americans. It has a blended body configuration with the jet
intake buried in the top of the fuselage and twin, slightly outwardly cantered tails
on the rear. Extensive use has been made of composite materials, reducing the
radar cross section to, according to Revellin-Flacoz, that "of a sparrow".
The privately-funded AVE made its first flight on July 18, with flight testing of the
design resuming towards the end of September. Take off and landing
are undertaken from a conventional runway, although the AVE has the ability to
land by parachute in case of an emergency.
The AVE is part of a wider Dassault test programme into all aspects of UAVs,
including unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs). Dassault hopes to use the AVE
to gain data, which it can then take to the French procurement agency (DGA) for
funding to further develop its UAV concepts. A French requirement also exists for
a low-observable target to train airborne and ground-based radars and the AVE
would be well suited for such a role."
(source: AFM, December, 2000)