Unmanned Systems Technology 005 | Selex ES Falco UAV | Sense and avoid systems | RCV Engines DF70 | DSEI show report | Fuel cells | CUAV Expo, InterDrone and CUAV Show reports | SLAM

19 Quirra weapons testing range in Sardinia. The next key step was the development of a turbojet-powered target, which led to the Mirach family of high-performance targets that are still in production, having been used by many forces worldwide, including NATO. The current turbojet- propelled, 4.07 m long Mirach 100 reusable target, can fly in one guise at Mach 0.95 and can operate at altitudes from 3 m to 12,500 m. In turn it can air- launch a smaller target jet that can reach Mach 0.7. In the past, UAVs from the Mirach family have been modified for deployment in military surveillance roles, using sometimes reciprocating, other times jet engines. That was back in the days of the Cold War; since then the emphasis has been on developing UAVs for peacekeeping and civilian roles, giving rise to the Falco. It is clear that UAVs are not easy work; it has taken Selex ES decades of trial and error, of lessons learnt, to get where it is today. Design considerations The design of the Falco system was presented to UST by team members based at Ronchi dei Legionari, from the aeronautical systems and the systems project engineering departments within the airborne and space systems division of Selex ES. Conceptually, the Falco is seen as a data node within a customer’s overall information-gathering network. As such, it is designed to be capable of being closely integrated into different networks and to have a high degree of autonomy. Designed from a clean sheet of paper, the Falco is a system, the craft operating in conjunction with a specific ground control station (GCS) and ground data terminal (GDT). It flies with a man ‘in the loop’ based in the GCS but from early on in its development ‘hands off’ take-off and landing has been possible within fully autonomous operation. The Falco can be taken from its hangar, its engine started and thereafter its operation can be autonomous. Moreover, if it is operating alongside manned aircraft, air traffic control (ATC) doesn’t need to differentiate between it and other aircraft (assuming Selex ES Falco UAV | Dossier Unmanned Systems Technology | Dec 2015/Jan 2016 The Falco is designed to be capable of being integrated into different networks and to have a high degree of autonomy