Selex Galileo unveiled the latest variant of its Falco tactical UAV at the Paris Air Show. Dubbed ‘Evolution’, the extended-wing version will improve endurance, payload and altitude parameters, according to Selex Galileo CEO Fabrizio Giualianini.

The UAV’s wingspan would increase from 7.2 m to 12.5 m, allowing payload capacity to be increased from 60 kg to 100 kg plus as well as an endurance extension from 14 hours up to 18. The ‘Evo’ model will be able to operate up to 1,000 m higher than previous altitudes of 5,000 m. Existing Falco UAVs will also have the ability to be retrofitted with the wing extensions.

In addition, Selex Galileo revealed that it had also developed an electronic warfare (EW) payload for the Falco UAV comprising a wing-tip array for ‘high accuracy’ direction finding; data-sharing; and geo-location capabilities.