The Falcon Eye satellites will leverage technology from the Pléiades satellites. Photo: CNES

[Via Satellite 12-09-2014] The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces has selected Airbus Defence and Space to manufacture and launch two Earth observation satellites as part of the Falcon Eye contract. The company will also provide a ground system to receive and process images, and a training program for UAE engineers.

Airbus Defence and Space will lead the industrial team for Falcon Eye from its Toulouse, France facility. Thales Alenia Space is the co-prime contractor for the program. Once complete, Emirati engineers will control and operate the spacecraft. The UAE signed the contract in August 2014, and it is now entering into force.