In 1985, the Swiss army acquired an IAI/Malat Scout UAV system with four air vehicles for trials to help define their own UAV requirements. The Scout had several performance shortfalls; the Swiss required a higher operational ceiling, greater payload, less noisy engine, better all-weather capability, and an emergency parachute retrieval system. In 1986, the Swiss government agreed to a joint development program between IAI/Malat and Contraves-Oerlikon. Contraves-Oerlikon is acting as the Swiss team leader with the Swiss Federal Aircraft Factory Emmen (FWE) providing the composite twin boom airframe, and Wild Leitz and Ascom providing other components. IAI/Malat is serving as the prime contractor, with the IAI subsidiary, Tamam, providing the multi-mission optronic stabilized platform. The Swiss requirement is for five Ranger systems and about six air vehicles per system. Procurement was scheduled to start in 1991, slipped to 1993-94, and finally did not take place until 1995.
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