Three aerospace industry groups have received contracts by the British and French procurement agencies for the joint Unmanned Combat Air System.

The UCAS, also known as the Future Air Combat System, is envisioned as a system that would provide sustained surveillance, mark targets, gather intelligence, deter adversaries and carry out strikes in hostile territory.

"The development of Unmanned Combat Air Systems is of vital importance to the UK and France, which have the most capable and experienced armed forces in Europe and well-established defense industrial bases," said Bernard Gray, the British Ministry of Defense's chief of Defence Materiel said at a signing ceremony.

"By working together and drawing on a common vision we will see military, technological and financial benefit and sustain skills to fulfil our mutual needs and aspirations in the combat air sector."

The two-year contracts, worth about $191.6 million, were awarded to BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation; Rolls-Royce and Safran; and Selex ES - Thales. Under the awards, the companies would explore concepts and options for the potential collaborative acquisition of a UCAS in the future.

Included in the study would be UCAS general architectures, key technologies, and the definition of simulation tools to validate the technical choices and operational concepts.

The feasibility study is the precursor to a possible follow-on development program and a direct result of the Lancaster House treaties for closer military and defense industry ties between the two countries.

"The technological excellence of our defense-aerospace industry must be maintained over the long term," said Laurent Collet-Billon, head of the French Directorate General of Armaments. "It is a matter of sovereignty and operational superiority. This requires an ambitious investment strategy open to partnerships.

"The Franco-British cooperation on the unmanned combat air vehicle Future Combat Air System meets this demand and paves the way for the future of the European combat air sector."

The contract awards announced in Paris this week take immediate effect.