BRUSSELS, July 6 (UPI) -- European Defense Agency leader Alexander Weis wants military and civilian operators of unmanned aerial systems to cooperate more closely.
"If we could combine civilian and military requirements for (unmanned aerial vehicles) then we could end up with a common solution for both sets of users," Weis, EDA chief executive officer, said in Brussels last week at a conference on UAVs. "That way they could share the financial burden and develop the technology in Europe -- a European solution for European demand."
DefenseNews reported from Brussels that Europe's civilian and military UAS markets are highly independent of each other but the EDA steering board has plans to launch a campaign next year for a joint investment program.
It said $190 million could become available to researchers from the European Parliament this year for UAV research and development but an additional $190 million would to come from member states and companies.
"This is Europe's chance to set standards," DefenseNews quoted an unidentified EDA official. "And the U.S. won't lose either as, if they can comply with the standards, they'll be able to sell UAVs to Europe, too."
