Aircraft
FEMALE Prospects Dimmed by French Reaper Buy
EADS has been trying to launch the Talarion, labeled here as "European UAS" to invite collaboration. But European governments have made no commitment, preferring short-term solutions from the U.S. and Israel. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
EADS has been trying to launch the Talarion, labeled here as "European UAS" to invite collaboration. But European governments have made no commitment, preferring short-term solutions from the U.S. and Israel. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

At an unmanned vehicles forum in Bonn this week, EADS Cassidian was again promoting what it now calls a Future European Male (Female) system. But the prospects of a pan-European program to match or improve on Male (medium-altitude long-endurance) UAV offerings from Israel, the U.S. and elsewhere have receded. France has decided to buy two GA-ASI Reaper systems, and there are indications that the UK will retain its Reapers beyond 2015, rather than retire them upon leaving Afghanistan. In Germany, it became known that the Defence Minister had also discussed a possible Reaper buy during a visit to the U.S. in April.