Thales and Qatar Armed Forces to Develop Optionally Piloted Aircraft

The Optionally Piloted Vehicle – Aircraft (OPV-A) to be developed is a hybrid between a conventional aircraft and an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). It is able to fly with or without a pilot on board the aircraft.

Thales officials have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Qatar Armed Forces to assist in the development of an Optionally Piloted Vehicle – Aircraft (OPV-A), a high-performance intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) system, and the delivery of an end-to-end training solution.

The OPV-A airframe, to be selected by the Qatar Armed Forces, will be integrated with a mission systems capability to enable the optionally piloted capability.The Optionally Piloted Vehicle – Aircraft (OPV-A) to be developed is a hybrid between a conventional aircraft and an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). It is able to fly with or without a pilot on board the aircraft.

Unimpeded by a human’s physiological limitations, an OPV is able to operate under more adverse conditions and/or for greater endurance times than manned aircraft. Retaining on-board controls, the OPV can operate as a conventional aircraft during missions for which direct human control is preferred or desired as an immediate option.

“This is an exciting prospect that Thales is looking forward to developing with the Qatar Armed Forces. Our experience in mission systems and unmanned air vehicles will provide Qatar with a world leading solution. ” - Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales UK

Qatar buys helicopters, missiles in $23-billion deals

Gulf Arab and Middle Eastern countries are looking to acquire new high-tech military equipment to protect themselves from neighbouring Iran and internal threats after the Arab Spring uprising.

Qatar plans to buy 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters

Photo: Wikipedia

Three Boeing 737 Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) - Below is one from Turkish air force

Photo: Wikipedia

Qatar also plans to buy 22 NH90 military helicopters - Below is one from German Luftwaffe.

Photo: Wikipedia

Qatar announced contracts worth about $23-billion (U.S.) on Thursday to buy attack helicopters, guided missiles, tankers and other weapons from Boeing Co., Airbus SAS and other arms makers as the Gulf state accelerates its military build-up.Qatar, and other Gulf Arab and Middle Eastern countries are looking to acquire new high-tech military equipment to protect themselves from neighbouring Iran and internal threats after the Arab Spring uprising.

Boeing confirmed that the announcement included a contract to buy 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and three Boeing 737 Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.The deal for the helicopters was valued at 8.9 billion riyals, said the spokeswoman for the conference.

Qatar also committed to buy a Patriot missile defence system built by Raytheon equipped with PAC-3 missiles made by Lockheed; advanced daytime, high-definition sensors and radars for Apache helicopters; and Javelin missiles built by a Lockheed-Raytheon joint venture, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Raytheon had told analysts in January that it expected to finalize an order with Qatar in the first half of 2014 for more than $2-billion in Patriot missile defence system equipment.The Pentagon approved the sale to Qatar of $9.9-billion worth of Patriot fire units, radars, and various Raytheon and Lockheed missiles in November 2012.

France’s Defense Ministry also said Qatar had agreed to buy 22 NH90 military helicopters from a unit of European aerospace group Airbus worth €2-billion ($2.76-billion) and two Airbus-made refuelling tankers.