Poland's
defence ministry has cancelled a contract to purchase Aerostar unmanned air
systems from Israeli company Aeronautics, and will also ask for compensation.
Signed
in 2010 and covering two systems, the $35 million purchase was made in order to
deploy the UAS in Afghanistan, where Polish army units are part of the NATO-led
International Security Assistance Force.
Warsaw's
deal included the development of an automatic take-off and landing (ATOL)
capability, with this to have enabled the unmanned aircraft to approach and
land safely in windy conditions and other ground effects encountered in the
operational area.
Aeronautics
encountered problems with the ATOL capability, which led to it failing to meet
the delivery schedule agreed in the contract. The company, which has yet to
comment on the Polish decision, has also faced other problems during recent
months, with sources saying that a disagreement between its shareholders has
delayed some projects.
Originally
due to have entered use with the Polish military in Afghanistan in late 2010,
the Aerostar is 4.5m (14.8ft) long, has a wingspan of 7.5m and a maximum
take-off weight of 210kg (463lb). It has a 12h endurance and a loitering speed
of 60kt (111km/h).
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