EADS Barracuda

The EADS Barracuda is a jet powered European unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) currently under development by EADS, intended for the role of aerial reconnaissance and also combat (UCAV).[1] The aircraft is a joint venture between Germany and Spain.

Barracuda
Role Reconnaissance and combat UAV
National origin Germany and Spain
Manufacturer EADS
First flight 2 April 2006

Development of the project was stopped after the first prototype crashed at sea while approaching for landing during a test flight.[2] The program was resumed in 2008, with a second prototype being completed in November 2008. The rebuilt Barracuda underwent a series of successful flight tests in Goose Bay, Canada during July 2009,[3] followed by further flight campaigns in 2010[4] and 2012.[5]

The Barracuda is primarily in competition with the Dassault nEUROn for strategic and defensive contracts. Both are stealthy and have a maximum air speed of around Mach 0.85. While Germany and Spain are behind the Barracuda, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain are funding the nEUROn.[6] Not much is known about the Barracuda as it is still in development; however, it is thought to have an operating ceiling of around 20,000 ft (6,096 m) and carries a maximum payload of 300 kg.[7]

Development

The Barracuda originated as a UAV design study, intended to push EADS into the market for medium-altitude long-range UAVs, a market they view as dominated by the United States and Israel.[8] It's development began in 2003, with its official debut at the 2006 International Aerospace Exhibition, where military applications and specifications for the Barracuda were revealed.[9] The Barracuda crashed during a 2006 test flight, which put the project on hold until 2008.[9] EADS' current focus is to get the Barracuda certified for unregulated flight in Germany's designated airspace, while the long-term goal is to have it certified for non-segregated airspace.[10]

They also plan to develop the Barracuda as a modular platform, so that it can be refitted for various roles like maritime patrol.[11] Offensive capabilities are not planned, but it may be refitted to carry weapons if customers express interest for it. The Barracuda may also be capable of carrying weapon systems. The systems would be installed in the central payload bay.

Germany is also discussing a partnership with Sweden and Italy for a multinational unmanned aerial vehicle effort in order to compete with the French-led Dassault nEUROn programme.[12] Spain, Italy and Sweden are already participants in the French-led effort.[13]

The Barracuda's maiden flight took place in April, 2006 at a remote location on the Iberian Peninsula.[14] The flight was a success but the prototype crashed into the water during a test flight just off the Spanish coast on September 23, 2006.

Design

The Barracuda is based on commercially available 'off the shelf' components, but also many refined systems.[9] Its fuselage is constructed entirely from carbon fibre,[6] but also has a greater strength to weight ratio than traditional aircraft materials such as aluminum (the structure of the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing 787 Dreamliner are also made significantly out of it).[9] The only significant metal component is the wing spar, running through the middle and reinforcing the wings. The wing spar allows for easy removal of the wings for transportation. The Barracuda uses a specially shaped fuselage, including S-duct air inlet and V-tail, to scatter deflected radar, rendering the UCAV stealthy.[6]

Specifications

Data from [7]

General characteristics

  • Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 7.22 m (23 ft 8 in)
  • Empty weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 3,250 kg (7,165 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney JT15D turbofan engine, 14 kN (3,100 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,041 km/h (647 mph, 562 kn)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
  • Range: 200 km (120 mi, 110 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,100 m (20,000 ft) ~

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. UAV demonstrator opens up new technology perspectives for EADS Archived 2006-06-18 at the Wayback Machine
  2. EADS Stops Barracuda UCAV Demonstrator Development Archived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine, Air-attack.com, 13 September 2007
  3. EADS press release on Barracuda flight tests in Canada, 2009
  4. Cassidian Barracuda page Archived 2013-01-19 at Archive.today
  5. Cassidian press release on 2012 Barracuda flight campaign Archived 2012-08-23 at the Wayback Machine
  6. GALLET, Matthieu. "EADS Barracuda". AviationsMilitaires.net. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  7. "Barracuda Demonstrator Unmanned Air Vehicle Developed by EADS Military Air Systems - Army Technology". www.army-technology.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  8. Barracuda Archived 2006-06-19 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "The Stealthy Barracuda UAV Is Germany's Future Flying Force". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  10. 2006-06-13T00:00:00+01:00. "One step beyond". Flight Global. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  11. High-speed Barracuda could spawn modular UAV family - ILA show report
  12. Germany, Italy and Sweden hold project talks on 'Agile' advanced UAV in bid to beat French-led Neuron
  13. Important player in Neuron Archived 2006-06-13 at the Wayback Machine
  14. Air-Attack.com - EADS Barracuda Archived 2006-06-19 at the Wayback Machine

Sources
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