The European Commission has launched a study to define the size, nature and scope of the market for military and civil unmanned aircraft around the world in an effort to help Europe win a portion of that market. Business opportunities are expected to cascade down to European firms once the issue of civil airspace integration is resolved, and advocates want to be ready when the skies darken with unmanned aircraft. Some observers caution that this vision might be doomed if the plethora of development programs underway throughout Europe are not brought together in a more cohesive manner. The list of UAV work in Europe is long. It includes Britain's Watchkeeper program, through which the country is developing its own Predator-like persistent surveillance aircraft. In July, Britain unveiled development of a new high-endurance surveillance aircraft, the Mantis. France, Germany and Spain are collaborating in their Advanced UAV study, while Germany is seeking unmanned aircraft to replace its tactical reconnaissance planes.
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