EADS Barracuda

__NOTOC__ Infobox Aircraft
name=Barracuda


caption=
type=Reconnaissance and combat UAV
national origin=Joint venture between Germany and Spain
manufacturer=EADS
designer=
first flight=2 April avyear|2006
introduced=
retired=
status=
primary user=
more users=
produced=
number built=
variants with their own articles=

Barracuda was the project name [ [http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRTypen/FRErstfl/FR06Erst/PRBarrac.htm UAV demonstrator opens up new technology perspectives for EADS] ] for a European unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) currently under development by EADS, intended for the role of reconnaissance and also combat (UCAV). The aircraft was a joint venture between Germany and Spain, but further development of the project has been stopped [ [http://www.air-attack.com/news/news_article/2705/EADS-Stops-Barracuda-UCAV-Demonstrator-Development.html Stops Barracuda UCAV Demonstrator Development 9 - Air-attack.com, 13 September 2007 ] , after the prototype crashed on its maiden flight.

The Barracuda crash

The Barracuda's maiden flight took place in February, 2006 at a remote location on the Iberian Peninsula. [ [http://www.air-attack.com/page/75/Barracuda.html Air-Attack.com - EADS Barracuda ] ] 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.

The Barracuda is primarily in competition with the Dassault nEUROn for strategic and defensive contracts. Both are stealth and have a max speed of around Mach 0.85 . While Germany and Spain are behind the Barracuda, France and Sweden are funding the nEUROn. Not much is known about the Barracuda as it is still in development.

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. [ [http://www.air-attack.com/page/75/Barracuda.html Barracuda] ] Its official debut was at the 2006 International Aerospace Exhibition, where military applications and specifications for the Barracuda were revealed.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. [ [http://81.144.183.107/Articles/2006/06/13/207151/One+step+beyond.html One step beyond] ]

They also plan to develop the Barracuda as a modular platform, so that it can be refitted for various roles like maritime patrol. [ [http://81.144.183.107/Articles/2006/05/23/206854/High-speed+Barracuda+could+spawn+modular+UAV+family+-+ILA+show.html High-speed Barracuda could spawn modular UAV family - ILA show report] ] Offensive capabilities are not planned, but it may be refitted to carry weapons if customers express interest for it.

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. [ [http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/07/11/Navigation/177/207705/Trio+hold+advanced+UAV+project+talks.html Germany, Italy and Sweden hold project talks on 'Agile' advanced UAV in bid to beat French-led Neuron] ] Italy and Sweden are already participants in the French-led effort. [ [http://www.saabgroup.com/en/MediaRelations/News/2006/important_player_in_neuron.htm Important player in Neuron] ]

Design

The Barracuda is based on commercially available 'off the shelf' components, but also many refined systems. Its fuselage is constructed entirely from carbon fibre - 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.

EADS is currently studying a two-engine variant of the UAV which would weigh about the same as the nEUROn. This two-engine variant could have its first flight in 2008.
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Specifications

Aircraft specifications

plane
jet

crew=0
capacity=
length main=27 ft 0 in
length alt=8.25 m
span main=23.7 ft in
span alt=7.22 m
height main= ft in
height alt= m
area main= ft
area alt= m
airfoil=
empty weight main= lb
empty weight alt=2300 kg
loaded weight main= lb
loaded weight alt= kg
useful load main= lb
useful load alt= kg
max takeoff weight main= lb
max takeoff weight alt=3250 kg
more general=

engine (jet)=Pratt & Whitney JT15D
type of jet=Turbofan
number of jets=1
thrust main=3150 lbf
thrust alt=14 kN
thrust original=
thrust more=
afterburning thrust main= lbf
afterburning thrust alt= kN
max speed main= 0.85 mach
max speed alt= km/h
max speed more=
cruise speed main= mph
cruise speed alt= km/h
cruise speed more=
never exceed speed main= mph
never exceed speed alt= km/h
stall speed main= mph
stall speed alt= km/h
stall speed more=
range main= mi
range alt= km
range more=
ceiling main= ft
ceiling alt= m
climb rate main= ft/min
climb rate alt= m/s
loading main= lb/ft²
loading alt= kg/m²
thrust/weight=
power/mass main= hp/lb
power/mass alt= kW/kg
more performance=

armament=

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=
*RQ-9 Predator B
*RQ-3 Dark Star
*Corax
*Dassault Neuron
lists=
see also=
*European defence procurement

References

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External links

* [http://www.air-attack.com/page/75/Barracuda.html Air-Attack.com's page on the Barracuda]
* [http://www.eads.net/web/lang/fr/1024/content/OF00000000400005/1/02/41344021.html http://www.eads.net/] EADS Website with pictures of the "Advanced UAV Demonstrator Barracuda" at ILA 2006