Warplanes: Yet Another Predator Competitor

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March 17, 2013: A Spanish firm (a division of EADS) has developed a half ton UAV called Atlante. This is similar to the American Shadow 200 and Predator, having a max payload of 100 kg (22o pounds) and max endurance of 20 hours. With a 60 kg (132 pounds) load Atlante can stay up 20 hours, while with the max payload it can stay in the air for ten hours. Atlante can carry one of the new lightweight radars, although normally it would just carry day and night vidcams and a laser designator.

Using a ground based radio link, Atlante can operate up to 220 kilometers from the controller. The first flight of Atlante took place earlier this year and the Spanish Army plans to buy some when production models are available in a year or so. Atlante is also being offered to civilian customers, in direct competition to the Predator XP (a civilianized version of the Predator).