Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
The 18-month DeSIRE II demonstration is being conducted by an industrial consortium led by led by Italian satellite firm Telespazio and aims to support the European standardization and regulatory activities surrounding the satellite communications-based command and control of UAVs, as EU regulators examine the requirements to allow the platforms in the same airspace as other traffic.
With certification under its belt, the company is able to proceed with the initial deliveries of the first two aircraft to the German air force later this year.
Airbus deployed a single Caracal, destined for the Brazilian navy, to Powidz, Poland, on May 14 to begin trials to check that the performance of the aircraft lives up to the promises made by the company in its tender.
