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Airbus Defence and Space, the prime contractor for the Eurodrone program, announced on May 16, 2024, that the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully completed. This significant milestone was achieved in collaboration with OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) and representatives from the four customer nations: France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The PDR was attended by the three major sub-contractors, Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo.
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Artist rendering of the future design of the Eurodrone. (Picture source Airbus)

The PDR (Preliminary Design Review ) is a crucial step in developing the Eurodrone, demonstrating that the initial design has matured sufficiently to advance to the detailed design phase. This review included various technical assessments and evaluations, such as Wind Tunnel Testing to confirm the aerodynamic configuration and the validation of a fully representative Digital Twin. The PDR ensures that the overall design meets operational capability requirements.

Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defense and Space, emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating, “Performing the Preliminary Design Review for the development of Eurodrone represents an important step forward for this key European defense program. It shows a real joint effort and collaborative spirit from all industrial partners and the Customer community to ensure European sovereignty and independence in this critical segment of unmanned long endurance ISTAR capability.”

The successful PDR marks the transition of the Eurodrone program into the next phase, aiming for the Critical Design Review (CDR). The CDR will be the final step in closing the architecture and system design, solidifying the blueprint for this advanced unmanned aerial system.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Eurodrone is designed to be a cornerstone of future combat air systems. It will play a vital role in international conflict prevention and crisis management, providing superior operational capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The Eurodrone will ensure that the participating nations maintain operational superiority in critical defense segments.

Since its inception, the Eurodrone program has benefitted from both physical and digital design philosophies. It continues to demonstrate the European defense industry’s collaborative spirit and technical expertise.

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According to the Spanish newspaper Infodefensa, dated May 16, 2024, the Colombian National Police (PNC) will integrate the VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Thunder B tactical drones from BlueBird Aero Systems into their arsenal. This technological upgrade aims to replace the BlueBird SpyLite drones, in use since 2015. The Thunder B model has been selected for its ability to meet specific intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance needs, thanks to its advanced vertical take-off and landing capabilities.

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BlueBird Thunder B Vertical Take-Off and Landing Drone (Picture source: IAI)

The PNC’s choice of Thunder B drones, equipped with VTOL capabilities, demonstrates a strategic evolution in their surveillance approach. These drones, intended for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, are particularly suited to the tactical demands of the armed forces due to their agility in take-off and landing maneuvers.

According to the terms of the agreement made in 2022 with BlueBird Aero Systems, three Thunder B units will initially be received, although the exact delivery date remains to be confirmed. These advanced devices offer an impressive range of 150 kilometers and can remain on a mission for up to 13 consecutive hours, with full HD video transmission capabilities.

The technical specifications of the Thunder B are also noteworthy. The drone measures 1.9 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 0.34 meters in height, with a maximum weight of 13 kilograms. Capable of flying at speeds up to 120 km/h, it can reach a ceiling of 5,100 meters. Take-off and landing maneuvers are powered by batteries, while horizontal flight is propelled by combustion.

This acquisition is a key step for the PNC, enhancing its ability to conduct surveillance operations more effectively and with high-tech technology, suited to the varied challenges of modern security and defense missions. The Thunder B drones are thus expected to play a crucial role in Colombia’s intelligence strategies, demonstrating the country’s ongoing commitment to improving its defense and security capabilities.

The VTOL system is designed for pinpoint vertical takeoff and landing, enabling operation in confined areas at any time. This system is highly adaptable, equipped with a range of high-performance sensors, communications tools, and sophisticated software algorithms tailored for various missions. Additionally, it ensures covert operations with minimal acoustic, visual, thermal, and radar signatures, and it is engineered to maintain functionality in environments where GPS is compromised, thanks to its multi-layer protection against GPS jamming.

The system also features advanced datalinks that uphold mission continuity even in COMJAM environments through the integration of three communication links. It is robust and designed to operate optimally in severe weather conditions and extreme terrains. The VTOL is user-friendly, with rapid deployment capabilities, a small required crew of just two, and no necessity for a prepared area. It includes an intuitive, mission-oriented Ground Control Station (GCS). Furthermore, the system is highly reliable, incorporating multiple system redundancies and advanced, field-proven avionics. It also offers low life-cycle costs, with affordable acquisition and maintenance expenses.

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According to the Military Programming Law (LPM) for 2024-30, the Rafale upgraded to the F5 standard will need to be capable of operating alongside loyal wingman-type drones developed from the nEUROn demonstrator. This will mark a step towards the Future Air Combat System (SCAF), a program conducted in cooperation with Germany and Spain, based on a next-generation fighter aircraft developed under the leadership of Dassault Aviation, with the German and Spanish subsidiaries of Airbus Defence & Space as partners
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View of EF2000/Typhoon, patrol configuration (Picture source: Open source)

However, the Rafale F5 will likely not be the only European aircraft able to control drones. Indeed, as part of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) project launched in 2019, the German branch of Airbus Defence & Space intends to develop capabilities known as Manned UnManned Teaming (MUM-T) for the Eurofighter EF-2000/Typhoon.

Details about this program, called STAR (System and Teaming Advanced Research) and conducted within the X-Platform (XPCS) study, were provided in a job posting by the industrial firm, which was in search of a chief engineer to lead it at Manching, Germany.

It involves developing a “STAR demonstrator,” based on a two-seater EF-2000/Typhoon, notably featuring “new connectivity” to explore technologies related to human-machine interfaces (HMI), which will then be used in future applications of SCAF.

However, these efforts will also aim to ensure that the Eurofighter remains an “active future” component of SCAF, with developments from the STAR project being “compatible and complementary” to the LTE program involving not only Germany and Spain but also the United Kingdom and Italy, the latter two countries being involved in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

LTE will bridge towards the respective future air combat systems (SCAF and GCAP) as specified by the Eurofighter consortium, formed by BAE Systems, Airbus, and Leonardo. The consortium also noted that some of the technologies currently under study are very immature, but they need to be examined because there is a desire to sustain the Typhoon as much as possible.

Nevertheless, Airbus is not starting from scratch. In December 2022, the company celebrated the successful demonstration of the “Multi-Domain Flight Demo” (MDFD), which enabled two fighter jets, a helicopter, and five support drones to conduct a “multi-domain mission very close to a real-life situation” via a meshed airborne data link network.

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On May 14, 2024, the Belgian Air Force achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight of its first F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, part of a larger order of 34 aircraft intended to rejuvenate its aerial combat capabilities. Taking off from the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the aircraft, designated as AY-03 and the third in the series, flew for about an hour.
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Belgium’s decision to procure 34 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin was made in October 2018, aiming to replace the aging fleet of 54 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets that have served the Belgian Air Force since the late 1970s. (Picture source: Facebook/The military aviation pictures and history)

Marking the beginning of a new era for the Belgian Air Force (BAF), this event was notably captured in photographs by aviation enthusiasts, showcasing the aircraft adorned with the Belgian roundel and the national flag on its tail, alongside the tail code FL003 (“Fighter Lightning 003”). Interestingly, the first Belgian F-35 aircraft to roll out in December 2023, designated AY-01 with tail code FL001, featured a slightly different rendition of Belgium’s national markings, likely due to the artificial lighting during the ceremony.

Following the example of the Royal Danish Air Force, which was the first to feature a subdued version of the colored roundel and national flag, Belgium opted for a subdued color scheme, incorporating tones of red, yellow, and black to create distinctive yet less conspicuous markings. Conversely, the Polish Air Force opted for low visibility checkerboards and markings to enhance operational stealth.

Currently, the initial batch of four Belgian F-35s is undergoing engine runs and additional flight testing. These aircraft will initially be based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Belgian pilots will undergo training alongside other F-35 customers’ pilots and maintainers. The first F-35 aircraft is expected to arrive in Belgium at Florennes Air Base in 2025, with plans to base additional F-35s at Kleine-Brogel starting in 2027.

Belgium’s decision to procure 34 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin was made in October 2018, aiming to replace the aging fleet of 54 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets that have served the Belgian Air Force since the late 1970s. Belgium’s acquisition of the F-35 not only includes the aircraft but also extends to engines, mission simulators, and extensive training for both pilots and maintenance crews, representing a substantial investment of $6.53 billion for the country.

The original plan was to deliver four F-35s to Belgium per year from 2023 to 2030, to gradually replace its fleet of 54 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, which are being phased out between 2023 and 2028. The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, affecting Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors and altering the delivery schedule. The revised plan aimed for the first two Belgian F-35As to be delivered by the end of 2023, followed by two more in the first quarter of 2024, though further changes have occurred.

Following the example of the Royal Danish Air Force, which was the first to feature a subdued version of the colored roundel and national flag, Belgium opted for a subdued color scheme, incorporating tones of red, yellow, and black to create distinctive yet less conspicuous markings. (Picture source: Instagram/Gherardo Fontana)

Initially, the Belgian F-35s were to be built with the new Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades, but these upgrades have been delayed. The TR-3 configuration is crucial as it includes both software and hardware upgrades necessary for the Block 4 upgrade and future improvements, serving as the IT backbone for all subsequent enhancements. All new production aircraft will receive TR-3, and it will be retrofitted on all F-35s already in service back to Lot 10. Lockheed Martin has confirmed that all the Belgian Air Force’s F-35s will be delivered in the TR-3 configuration.

Belgium joins a growing list of European nations to purchase the F-35 Lightning II to replace their aging fleets of fighter jets. As of 2024, twelve European countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, will now be operating this 5th generation stealth fighter jet. Like the F-16, the F-35 will remain a key component of NATO’s aerial defense strategy against potential threats, particularly from Russia.

The F-35 Lightning II, primarily developed by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft designed for a variety of military operations, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and electronic warfare. Utilizing advanced stealth technology to reduce its radar cross-section, the aircraft aims to enhance its survivability in hostile environments. Equipped with integrated electronic systems such as the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), it enhances reconnaissance and situational awareness capabilities, contributing to its effectiveness in missile defense and air combat. These systems enable the F-35 to monitor its surroundings and engage targets at significant distances.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine capable of delivering 43,000 pounds of thrust, the F-35 Lightning II can achieve a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.6, equivalent to around 1,975 km/h. Regarding armaments, the F-35 can be outfitted with various weapons. It features internal bays capable of housing AIM-120C air-to-air missiles and GBU-32 JDAM guided bombs, among other munitions tailored for diverse mission requirements. With a standard weapon capacity exceeding 18,000 pounds, the F-35 can increase this load to 22,000 pounds in a configuration colloquially known as “beast mode.” The aircraft’s design incorporates stealth features to minimize its radar visibility, augmenting its effectiveness in combat scenarios where stealth capabilities are paramount.

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In August 2022, Colonel Maynard Mariano, spokesperson for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), highlighted that the KF-21 Boramae, a fighter jet developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), was considered a potential candidate for the country’s Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) project aimed at modernizing and enhancing its aerial capabilities. During the DSA 2024 event in Malaysia, a South Korean delegation discussed with Philippine officials the potential export of the KF-21 jet and submarines, as well as increasing purchases of FA-50 fighters.

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Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 Boramae Fifth-Gen Multirole Fighter Jet 
(Picture source: Wikimedia)

According to an official statement from Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), specific cooperation measures fitting into the Philippines’ three-stage military modernization plan were deliberated with key Philippine officials. The focus was particularly on the KF-21, the FA-50, and submarines, which have piqued the interest of the Philippines.

The KF-21, which is still in its flight test phase, was presented as a serious contender to meet the needs of the MRF, although the program has not yet been funded. “Since the MRF has not yet received funding, the KF-21 could well compete in this program,” stated Colonel Mariano. He added that if Manila decided to acquire only the KF-21, it would encourage production tailored to the needs of the PAF for 2027-2029.

This development comes after a series of evaluations conducted by the Philippine Department of Defense, which had initially considered the F-16 Block 70 Viper from Lockheed Martin and the JAS-39 Gripen from Saab. Cost considerations led the PAF to explore other options, with the KF-21 emerging as a viable alternative.

The KF-21 is particularly notable for its integration of advanced technologies, including an AESA radar, a sophisticated electronic warfare suite, and targeting and reconnaissance pods, with 65% of its components locally designed in South Korea. However, much of its weaponry would come from MBDA.

Colonel Mariano concluded by emphasizing the importance of remaining open to new technologies, particularly in a context where prototyping stages can be accelerated due to technological advancements. “We cannot close our options when there is a new system capable of competing with others and that could meet our defense needs. In this era, prototyping of any system can be achieved much more quickly due to the availability of technology, and we might see it soon,” he asserted.

The final decision on the acquisition of new jets remains pending, but the KF-21 positions itself as a serious candidate to bolster Philippine air defense in the face of regional challenges, notably territorial claims in the South China Sea.

As a reminder, the Philippine Air Force currently uses a variety of aircraft, primarily focused on versatile roles and light attack capabilities. The FA-50PH jets, produced by Korea Aerospace Industries, make up the bulk of their current fighter fleet. These aircraft serve both training and combat roles, enhancing the air patrol and defense capabilities of the Air Force. The Philippine Air Force has acquired a total of 12 FA-50PH combat jets from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with the delivery of the last jets completed in May 2017.

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The German Heron TP, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed in collaboration by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Airbus, conducted its first flight in German airspace
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The maiden flight of Germany’s Heron TP, an unmanned aerial system created through a partnership between Israel Aerospace Industries and Airbus, took place in German airspace (Picture source: Airbus)