EADS Barracuda

EADS Barracuda from Germany and Spain, produced by Airbus

Introduce:

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

Development of the project was stopped after the first prototype crashed at Mar Menor while approaching for landing during a test flight. 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, followed by further flight campaigns in 2010and 2012.

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