Airbus’ Target Systems & Services achieved the milestone with the production of its 2,000th drone in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The unmanned aerial system is a Do-DT45 with the serial number 2,000 and will be used in a military exercise at the training ground of Airbus partner Andøya Space Defence in Norway. Once at the training ground, it will be launched by an Airbus team via a ramp, accelerate to up to 440 knots (814 km/h) and climb to 25,000 feet (7,620 metres) depending on the requirements.
In the air, the Do-DT45 drone can then simulate a range of threats such as fighter jets, drones or cruise missiles, which customers can engage in with live fire. The operation does not pose any risk: Andøya Space Defence’s training site is a restricted area; the remains of the target drone are disposed of properly. For more than 20 years, Air Defenders around the world have been training with Airbus Defence and Space target drones – ensuring that their countries’ air defences work when it counts.