The final design of an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone – UAV) system is nearing completion, through the “Archytas” program, according to Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras.
It is worth noting that the implementation of the “Archytas” program began on September 1, 2021.
As it follows from what Mr. Staikouras mentions, the Ministry of Finance has decided “to finance the design of a second, more complex unmanned aerial vehicle”, with the relevant announcements expected to follow in early 2023
According to the quarterly report of the authorities, “this national effort is progressing with almost absolute consistency to the planning”, said Mr. Staikouras.
In particular, in the past quarter, test flights of the scaled aircraft were successfully carried out, both in the conventional way and in the vertical take-off and landing mode, and thus its final, detailed design is nearing completion.
Beyond that, Mr. Staikouras notes that after the completion of its construction, there will be test flights, checks, certifications, costings of alternative types of vehicles and acceptance by EAB of orders for the manufacture of aircraft from users.
“About 2 years ago, an effort was started to form a collaboration between the Ministry of Finance, the Hellenic Aviation Industry (EAB), the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Democritus University of Thrace and the University of Thessaly.
The aim is for the wider public sector to become a designer and producer of drone systems.
During the period until today, with funding from the Ministry of Finance, the “Archytas” program has been structured.
The program aims at the design and industrial production of an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone – UAV) system of multiple uses and types.
The implementation of the “Archytas” program began on September 1, 2021.
According to the quarterly report of the authorities, this national effort is progressing with almost absolute consistency to the planning.
In particular, in the past quarter, test flights of the scaled aircraft were successfully carried out, both in the conventional way and in the vertical take-off and landing mode, and thus its final, detailed design is nearing completion.