Europe's long-range cargo unmanned aerial vehicle is being transformed into a modern air surveillance and defense platform. The project is implemented by Bulgarian company Dronamics in cooperation with German defense technology corporation HENSOLDT, aiming to turn the Black Swan unmanned aerial vehicle into a multi-purpose detection and defense system for Europe.
The upgraded version of Black Swan will integrate a series of advanced sensor technologies, forming the backbone for new unmanned surveillance capabilities.
The focus of the system is the MissionGrid mission architecture, an expandable platform that allows the combination of radar and optoelectronic sensors into a unified operating framework.
Along with that, MissMarvin mission management software will coordinate flight operations, process data and allow a drone to perform multiple missions in one take-off.
Completing the system is the PrecISR radar, a compact active electronic scanning array radar that can operate 24/7 in all weather conditions, including harsh environments.
According to developers, the goal of the project is to create a completely European-made drone platform, capable of serving intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target identification missions. This is considered an important step to strengthen the regional defense technology autonomy capacity.
In terms of configuration, Black Swan has a wingspan of 16 meters and a body length of 8 meters, large enough to perform long-haul flights with heavy loads. This device can fly at an altitude of about 9,100 meters at a cruising speed of 200 km/h, helping to reduce the risk of being attacked from the ground.
The maximum carrying capacity of 350 kg and a flight range of up to 2,500 km allows the Black Swan to integrate heavy reconnaissance systems while maintaining long operating times.
In addition, the mobile ground control station combined with global satellite communication allows operating drones from almost any location.
The first test flight of the upgraded version is expected to take place this year. The initial deployment will focus on the eastern flank of Europe, along with the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, which are places with high security monitoring needs.
Experts believe that the Black Swan project is not only a technological step forward but also demonstrates the ambition to build an independent military drone ecosystem of Europe in the context of an increasingly complex security environment.
