The mission: Complex testing with manned and unmanned vehicles in the air
Test and evaluation (T&E) of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) is complex, requiring complete awareness and control of what is happening both on the ground and in the air. This is why FMV T&E’s experience and know-how were key factors when one customer needed to verify the stealth capability of their UCAV in flight and during bomb release.
With the release of large weapons and the fact that the trial included both manned and unmanned vehicles being operated simultaneously in the same airspace together with ground systems, it was a challenge. With a complex series of trials needed, including evaluating the performance of ground and air surveillance and weapon systems, there was a lot to prepare for.
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The solution: Europe’s largest overland restricted airspace
With the competence and experience in handling complex UCAV trials, FMV T&E were well placed to support this customer with all their testing needs. Among other things, we managed the airworthiness and permit to fly process, allocation and support for ground control equipment as well as set up of our range systems.
Vidsel Test Range was an ideal location for the testing, due to its very large, restricted air and ground space and air base with all the necessary infrastructure.
FMV’s Flight Test Centre (FTC) also provided support, taking responsibility for the flight permit process, making sure that the system was safe and reliable enough and that the operators were qualified. The FTC also performed the test programs, execution, evaluation and reporting.
Together, our dedicated specialists were able to solve all challenges during the complex project, while our FMV Flight Test Leader made sure that safety and timing were under control at every step.
Find out more about the facilities used in this case:
The result: Successful verification of UCAV capabilities
These successful trials not only enabled our customer to verify the stealth capability of their UCAV and evaluate the performance of ground and air surveillance and weapon systems. They also maintained and developed the skills of the participating European aerospace companies' design offices, enabling them to investigate and validate technologies for next-generation combat aircraft design, as well as validate an innovative cooperation process with the establishment of a European industry team.
Learn more about our T&E capabilities for the air domain:
Services delivered
- Test management, logistic and expert technical support
- In-house flight permit process
- In-house frequency management
- Full safety assessments and preparations
- Large, unrestricted land and airspace for safe testing and live firing
- Complete range coverage of FTS and TM systems
- Support of weapon release from UCAV
- Radar and optical tracking systems
- Well-documented test reports with all the required data