In the framework of the European Robotics Week, Indra has made a flight demo of two of its unmanned aircraft: the Pelican helicopter and the Mantis plane, at Villamartin aerodrome (Cadiz).

The company demonstrated the capacities of Pelican, a system conceived for maritime surveillance, which will be ready to enter service by early 2012.

Pelican is the first rotary-wing UAV prepared to embark on a military vessel. The system is in the last development phase and during the test period Indra managed to configure it in such a way that the engine can use heavy fuel oil nonflammable – as it is an elementary requirement to go onboard a military vessel.

Regarding Mantis, Indra exhibited the capacities of the smallest model (2,10-metre-wing) of the family of UAVs developed by the company. The system, ready to enter service soon can be easily transported and operated by one or two people. A system of this type facilitates observation of movement in an operation range of around 30 kilometres.