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EADS Barracuda
European Unmanned Aerial Vehicle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The EADS Barracuda was a jet powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), EADS, used for the role of aerial reconnaissance and also combat (like UCAV).[1] The aircraft was a joint venture between Germany and Spain.
Barracuda | |
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Role | Reconnaissance and UCAV |
National origin | Germany and Spain |
Manufacturer | EADS |
First flight | 2 April 2006 |
Development of the project was stopped after the first prototype crashed at Mar Menor 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's primary competition was Dassault nEUROn for strategic and defensive contracts. Both were stealthy and had a maximum air speed of around Mach 0.85. While Germany and Spain were behind the Barracuda, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, and Spain as well funded the nEUROn.[6] It had an operating ceiling of around 20,000 ft (6,096 m) and carried a maximum payload of 300 kg.[7]
It was retired after six test campaigns.