After months of debating over specifications and costs, the Joint Armaments Cooperation Organization [OCCAr] finally notified the contract for the development and production of the future MALE drone [Moyenne Altitude Longue Endurance] European [ou Eurodrone] to Airbus Defense & Space GmbH, the prime contractor for this program, conducted in cooperation with Dassault Aviation [chargé notamment des commandes de vol électriques] and Leonardo.
However, one detail remained to be settled, and not the least: the motorization of this future device, which, to move its ten tons, will need two turboprops. Two manufacturers were in the running: the French Safran, with the Ardiden TP3, and Avio Aero, the Italian subsidiary of the American General Electric [GE]with Catalyst [ex-Advanced Turboprop, ou ATP]
On March 25, Airbus put an end to the suspense, via a press release: while it is said in all tones that the Eurodrone is a major program for European strategic autonomy, the choice of prime contractor was finally focused on the Catalyst which, designed by GE, will also equip the Beechcraft Denali of the American manufacturer Textron.
“The Catalyst was chosen for its better competitiveness. We have a solution that is more mature, which is in test flight on a commercial aircraft […], we estimated, in the comparison, a lower risk of development”, explained Jean-Brice Dumont, the boss of Airbus Military Aircraft. “It is very important in a military program in cooperation where the schedules are tense, and where we have a flying start which is complicated to manage”, he added.
In addition, the Airbus manager has argued, the Catalyst displays better technical performance while being more economical.
However, even if it is produced in Europe, the question arises as to whether the Catalyst is concerned by the ITAR regulations. [International Traffic in Arms Regulations]which allows Washington to block the export of military equipment as soon as it contains components of American origin.
“The Catalyst is an engine […] entirely developed and manufactured in Europe, designed not to be subject to ITAR rules, thus making it possible to overcome additional requirements in terms of export”, underlined Airbus in its press release. And this, even if some parts will be American. “We made sure of that with an audit,” said Mr. Dumont. Only, Washington should not change its regulations…
Obviously, such a question did not arise for the Ardiden TP3, Safran having highlighted the fact that its turboprop was of totally European design. In addition, the French engine manufacturer had taken care to forge partnerships with the Italian Piaggio Aerospace, the Spanish ITP and the Germans MT-Propeller and ZF Luftfahrttechnik.
“On the engine [de l’EuroDrone]Safran offers a solution that is both efficient and competitive, which has been matured within the framework of the European Clean Sky program. […] Safran is the only manufacturer to offer nations a truly European solution. And in the spirit of the European recovery plan, it would be shocking if European taxpayers’ money were used to finance a competing motorization solution, which is currently in the process of certification with the American authorities, “said Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Helicopters Engine, in an interview published by La Tribunein June 2021.
And this one to insist: “Finally, the selection of the engine is naturally an issue of sovereignty for Europe, which must maintain its autonomy on the issues of motorization. The French authorities are clearly mobilized. It remains for me to wish that Airbus and the nations make the right decisions”.
As a reminder, this European program provides for the delivery of 60 drones [soit 20 systèmes] to Germany [21 appareils]in Italy [15]to France [12] and to Spain [12] for an amount of 7.1 billion euros. With a length of 16 meters and a wingspan of 26 meters, the Eurodrone will be able to fly at a speed of 500 km/h, for a range of 40 hours.