The Leader of French Aerospace Manufacturer, Dassault Aviation has announced the crucial decision of UCAS program, in the framework of the France-UK summit which took place on 3th March in Amiens, France. Within the scope of this summit, both parties has agreed to be launched the “scale 1” development of a UCAS (Unmanned Combat Air System) operational demonstrator in 2017.

Mr.Eric Trappier, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation, declared: "It is important to prepare for the future in the strategic field of combat UAVs".

The joint programme has initiated the UK and France Governments led by BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation and supported by Rolls Royce, Safran, Selex, and Thales in last quarter of 2014, £120 million funding has been allocated to primary feasibility phase of the program. The Feasibility Phase is focusing on a number of key areas; Firstly, the maturation of Operational UCAS concepts that meet the joint French and UK Operational requirements.  By the end of the Feasibility Phase the intention is to be in a position to converge on a single Operational UCAS concept. Secondly, the development of key technologies that will be required for a future operational UCAS including vehicle systems, sensors, communications, mission systems and propulsion.