Warplanes: February 6, 2002

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Dassault, the French aerospace company, is developing two new stealthy drones (UAVs) based on its existing Petit Duc stealthy drone. Petit Duc is all-composite, has a "very low" radar cross section, and has a range of 150 kilometers. It has two turbojets and a blended wing body. The first of the new drones will be the Moyen Duc, designed for recon, laser target designation, and electronic warfare missions. It should be ready in a few years. The larger Grand Duc is designed for Suppression of enemy Air Defense missions, perhaps controlled by a Rafale fighter acting as a mothership. It will have an internal weapons bay to maintain its stealth status until it reaches firing position.--Stephen V Cole