May 11, 2006, 23:16 GMT
Munich - Europe's premier defence company confirmed for the first time Thursday that it had tested the Barracuda, an unmanned jet, and said the plane will be unveiled next week at the Berlin Air Show.
Until now, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS) had revealed almost nothing about its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project, aimed at developing remote spy planes, bombers and fighters that can go into battle without risking pilots' lives.
In Munich, EADS said the first test on a sprawling Spanish airbase had been a success, with the jet flying a pre-programmed course for 20 minutes under constant monitoring from a ground station. There had also been extensive ground tests.
The jet is more than 8 metres long, with a wingspan of more than 7 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 3 tons, making it the biggest UAV ever flown in Europe, an EADS spokesman said. It will be put on display at the Berlin Air Show, which opens next Tuesday.
The EADS defence systems director said the technology opens the door to a promising new market. A spokesman said potential customers in Europe were already being approached, adding that the current main purpose of the plane was reconnaissance, though weapons tests were sure to follow.
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