The French aerospace group Dassault Aviation and electronics equipment maker Sagem announced Wednesday an agreement to develop pilotless aircraft, or drones, for military use.
The two firms plan to “jointly develop multi-charge, multi-mission systems that should enter service with European and foreign forces in the next few years,” they said in a statement.
The project should result in “new furtive aerial vehicles” and increase inter-operability between drones and piloted aircraft, the statement said.
Tactical drones, commonly able to operate over distances of 50 to 100 kilometers (30-60 miles), are often used for aerial surveillance.
They have also been equipped with missiles, however, and used as weapons during US operations in Afghanistan.
Sagem already produces four models, one of which is able to operate for up to 24 hours at a time.
The European aerospace group EADS, which owns 45.8 percent of Dassault Aviation, is also developing a high-altitude drone in collaboration with the US defense firm Northrop Grumman.
