FEINDEF 2025 – INDRA unveils VALERO, the all-Spanish light remotely controlled air vehicle

At the Madrid exhibition INDRA, the Spanish Indra technology company, unveiled a multipurpose air system aimed at reducing risks for manned aircraft while increasing mission success. Known as VALERO, the acronym for Vehículo Aéreo Ligero Español Remotamente Operado, light Spanish air vehicle remotely operated,it is aimed at fighter aircraft of the current and future generation, athough it is available also in surface-launched configuration

The VALERO is the name of the whole system, which is made of four subsystems, the VAM (Vehículo Aéreo Multipropósito or multipurpose air vehicle), the LSC (Lanzador de Superficie Configurable or configurable surface launcher), the EPC (Elemento de Planificación y Control or planning and control system) and finally the air platform, which can be either a Eurofighter Typhoon of F-18 at short term, a model of the system under an Typhoon being shown at the Indra booth, and in future the FCAS.

The VAM comes in the form of a rectangular section fuselage with foldable wings hinged at about two third of the length from the nose, which shows where the centre of gravity is located. At the rear we find a turbojet engine, with air intakes located on the sides of the fuselage. The wings swing forward and once extended maintain a reduced sweep angle; EDR On-Line was told that the wings visible on the mock-up exhibited at FEINDEF do not represent the real solution. The central section hosts the electronics and ancillary equipment, the payload bay being at the front.

The turbojet thrust, which was not specified, will allow the VAM to reach transonic speed at high level, minimum speed being Mach 0.8. At low level minimum speed will be 420 knots. The model exhibited at FEINDEF was not in real dimensions; what was said is that the VAM was designed since inception to fit into the F-35 inner weapons bay, as well as in that of the future FCAS. EDR On-Line understood that the mass of the VAM is compatible with 250 kg hard points.

Coming to the other elements the LSC in its current form has four canisters, and its angle with the terrain at launch is variable. As for the EPC, this can be hosted in a shelter or can be installed in a building; a data link, that can work in different modes, will definitely allow it to remain in the loop with the VAM, no details being provided on the link between the VAM and the launching aircraft. EDR On-Line understood that a considerable part of the computing power will be on the air vehicle, quite probably to reduce the need of a high throughput from the data link, while artificial intelligence has been exploited as much as possible both on-board and in the EPC.

Talking to EDR On-Line, INDRA’s senior military advisor made clear that the VALERO programme is not strictly linked to the FCAS, as it is intended to meet the current needs of the Spanish Armed Forces and promote the strategic autonomy of Spain, the whole VALERO system being produced with 100% Spanish subsystems. In fact VALERO aims at a much earlier entry into service compared to the FCAS, INDRA aiming at having it operational not later than 2029.

EDR On-Line understood that the first flight test is planned for the incoming summer, and that this will be performed from a surface launcher; the VAM will therefore fitted with a booster, that will detach when the air vehicle will be in flight, the turbojet taking over the needed thrust. This should allow to anticipate flight tests, as airborne operations require a series of tests before the complete test, including static and dynamic tests, safe separation and so on. Indra completed the alternative requirements review and plans to complete the Preliminary Design Review before year end.

For the VALERO programme Indra is working in close cooperation with the customer, the Spanish Air Force. EDR On-Line understood that the payload of the first version of the VAM will be what was defined as a “active dynamic decoy plus warhead”, which should allow the air vehicle to simulate different types of threats, fighters, transport aircraft and cruise missiles. In a movie based on virtual images aiming at demonstrating the VALERO concept of operation, a manned aircraft formation in an attack mission was shown surrounded by a great number of VAMs, performing different roles, swarm capabilities as well as coordination between unmanned and manned aircraft being allowed by intra-swarm communications, communications with the EPC, as well as by on-board artificial intelligence elements. As the senior military advisor said in conclusion, more to come …

Photos b P. Valpolini