Finland UAS Bid Shortlist

Finland’s Ministry of Defence has narrowed the field in its competition to provide the Finnish army with mini UAS. The shortlist is:  DRAC (EADS Cassidian), Spylite (BlueBird) , Skylark (Elbit) , Bird-Eye 650 (IAI) and the Orbiter (Aeronautics Defense Systems). The Finnish army plans to acquire 30-45 Unmanned Aircraft Sysytems in a deal valued at around $25 million.  The bid is expected to be narrowed down to two finalists in February 2011, with a contract to be awarded in April.