New reconnaissance drones are allowed to fly again

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The army’s new reconnaissance drones, which had been grounded since early April after a malfunction, are allowed to fly again. The investigation into the cause of the malfunction has been completed, the Federal Armaments Office (Armasuisse) reported on Tuesday.

The malfunction was caused by a leak in the connection between the turbocharger and the engine’s intake manifold. This led to a decrease in engine performance, Armasuisse wrote. The pilot of the drone noticed this and safely landed the stricken aircraft.

The malfunction has now been resolved and the other drones in the ADS-15 system have been checked. A first flight in Emmen LU could already take place. Once the final work is completed, the military aviation authority’s airworthiness directive will be revoked, Armasuisse said.

drones from Israel

The first two of a total of six new reconnaissance drones from Israel were handed over to the Air Force only at the end of January, years later than planned. A third drone, which has been in Switzerland since October 2022, is being tested by Armasuisse. The incident occurred during a flight with this drone.

Actually, the drones should have started flying in 2019 – that year the previous Ranger aircraft had been retired. However, the replacement was delayed because the delivery company in Israel underestimated the effort of production and also because of the Covid 19 pandemic, as Armasuisse said in January.

Parliament approved the purchase of the six drones in 2015. The project costs now amount to 298 million Swiss francs. According to Armasuisse, parliament approved a CHF 250 million loan in 2015 and an additional loan in 2021. (SDA)

Source:Blick