Flight Testing Of Saab Uav SHARC Technology Demonstrator

Simone Duranti, Flight Test and Verification, SAAB Aerosystems, Linköping, Sweden
Viktor Malmfors, Flight Test and Verification SAAB Aerosystems, Linköping, Sweden

Abstract

SAAB is currently working on several UAV demonstrator projects and has recently flight tested a subscale Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle demonstrator called SHARC (Swedish Highly Advanced Research Configuration).

The main objectives of the SHARC project are to demonstrate advanced autonomy on unmanned aircraft, the capability of driving smaller and quicker development processes and to test the airworthiness process involving the Military Flight Safety Inspectorate (FLYGI) of the Swedish Armed Forces.

The second experimental flight test campaign with the SHARC has been successfully concluded in autumn 2003, on the Vidsel test range in northern Sweden, with a number of autonomous flights beyond visual range.

SAAB’s Flight Test Department has dealt with some new aspects regarding ground and flight testing an unmanned aircraft, collecting valuable experiences for future UAV programs. These experiences and the lessons learned during the project and the flight test phase are the object of this paper.