nEUROn UCAV successfully completes maiden flight

NEUROn, Europe’s unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) stealth technology demonstrator, has successfully completed its maiden flight from the Dassault Aviation’s flight test base in Istres, in collaboration with the flight test personnel of the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA).

The nEUROn was launched in 2005 by DGA and involves France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Greece and Switzerland. It defines a future for the aeronautic excellence of Europe. With Dassault Aviation as prime contractor, the programme was designed to pool the skills and know-how of Alenia Aermacchi (Italy), Saab (Sweden), EADS-CASA (Spain), Hellenic Aerospace Industry (Greece), RUAG (Switzerland) and Thales (France).

With a length of 10 metres, a wingspan of 12.5 metres and an empty weight of five tonnes, the aircraft is powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca “Adour” engine.