Space Travel News  
Galileo Avionica: The UAV FALCO System Completes Operational Validation Testing

FALCO has established itself in a key position in the UAV tactical market for both civil and military Surveillance and Homeland Security, with its performance demonstrating it to be superior to other UAV platforms present on the market.
by Staff Writers
Rome, Italy (SPX) Nov 29, 2007
The Galileo Avionica (Finmeccanica) FALCO System has successfully completed an intense program of mission testing by an international launch customer, during which it fulfilled all the requirements specified in the contract, enabling it to demonstrate optimal operational functionality. The FALCO System is composed of four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from the TUAV/MAE category, a Ground Control Station (GCS), a Ground Data Terminal (GDT) and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

The FALCO System was validated after very successful trials lasting 15 months which were carried out in three different continents (Africa, Europe, Asia), under the most diverse climatic and operational conditions.

In particular, during the 18 flight tests made by the End User, the FALCO System carried out a Surveillance mission with a maximum payload which lasted 9 hours and 15 minutes. This performance shows that, by using an auxiliary fuel tank, the maximum range for the System would therefore exceed the 14 hours previously anticipated.

All the main functional requirements for Surveillance missions have been fully demonstrated. Of great importance are the results obtained which included:

- Collecting and controlling data on a 200 Km redundant link between the Ground Control Station and the FALCO air vehicle, through a jam-resistant transmission in real time
- An operational ceiling of a maximum of 6000 meters
- Autonomous navigation control system and automatic use, during flight, of different payloads
- Automatic Take Off and Landing (ATOL) operability
- Night-time missions operability

The final configuration delivered to the End User is ready to carry out operations, including under extreme weather conditions, thanks to the maturity level reached by the FALCO System. The System also integrates an important range of payloads, making it an invaluable asset to respond to the country's main requirements for a variety of missions.

As a result, FALCO has established itself in a key position in the UAV tactical market for both civil and military Surveillance and Homeland Security, with its performance demonstrating it to be superior to other UAV platforms present on the market.

Related Links
UAV News - Suppliers and Technology



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Boeing Awarded International Aviation Trophy For X-45A
St. Louis MO (SPX) Nov 29, 2007
Boeing has received the prestigious Johnston Memorial Trophy from the London-based Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators for the accomplishments of the X-45A Joint-Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program. "This is quite an honor," said George Muellner, Boeing Advanced Systems president.







  • Defense Focus: Engineer truths -- Part 1
  • Northrop Grumman Demonstrates New Rocket Engine Design Using Oxygen And Methane Propellants
  • Indigenous Cryogenic Stage Successfully Qualified
  • Groundbreaking Signals Start Of NASA Constellation Flight Tests

  • Sea Launch Reschedules The Thuraya-3 Launch Campaign
  • Sea Launch Reschedules The Thuraya-3 Launch Campaign
  • Thuraya-3 Satellite Launch Delayed Again
  • Russia To Launch Manned Spacecraft From New Site In 2018

  • Shuttle Flight Readiness Review This Week
  • Fairford Airmen Prepare For Shuttle Launch
  • US Lawmakers Grill Space Agency On Plans For Shuttle Retirement
  • Atlantis At The Pad

  • Spacewalkers Complete More Harmony Hookup Work
  • Columbus Poised For Research Breakthroughs
  • US astronauts walk in space to fix up lab
  • Expedition 16 Completes Spacewalk

  • Jogging To Mars
  • SPACEHAB Supporting Key Milestones Under NASA Space Act Agreement
  • Brazil to invest 28 bln dollars in science and technology: Lula
  • Orbital Outfitters Debuts IS3C - First-Ever Fully Functional Commercial Pressure Spacesuit

  • China Completes Enclosure Of Land For Fourth Satellite Launch Center
  • China Has No Timetable For Manned Moon Landing
  • Chinese plan manned space launch
  • New Rocket Set To Blast Off By 2013

  • Humanoid teaches dentists to feel people's pain: researchers
  • Japan looks at everyday use of robots
  • New Japanese lightweight robot on wheels can talk
  • Can A Robot Find A Rock. Interview With David Wettergreen: Part IV

  • Rover Slips In Sandy Terrain
  • New Views Of Martian Moons
  • HiRISE Camera Views Spirit At Home Plate
  • Life on Mars - Viking Revisited

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement