Today, the nEUROn, Europe's unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) stealth technology demonstrator, successfully completed its maiden flight from the Dassault Aviation company'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 the customer, 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 program was designed to pool the skills and know-how of Alenia Aermacchi (Italy), Saab (Sweden), EADS-CASA (Spain), HAI (Greece), RUAG (Switzerland) and Thales (France).
With a length of 10 meters, a wingspan of 12.5 meters and an empty weight of 5 tons, the aircraft is powered by a Rolls-Royce Turbomeca "Adour" engine.
The nEUROn will continue to undergo testing in France until 2014, at which time it will be sent to Vidsel in Sweden for a series of operational trials. It will then go to the Perdadesfogu range (Italy) for further tests, in particular firing and stealth measurements.
| Contact details from our directory: | |
| Dassault Aviation | Airframer |
| Leonardo | Airframer |
| Saab Aerosystems | Airframer |
| Airbus Defence & Space (Structures) | Aircraft Structural Components, Engine Parts, Empennages, Nacelles, Aircraft Control Surfaces, Engine Housings, Fuselage Sections, Fairings, Wings, Flap/Slat Mechanisms, Air-to-Ground Data Links |
| Hellenic Aerospace Industry S.A. | Welding, Machining Services, Forming, Calibration Equipment & Services, Cadmium Plating, Aircraft Structural Components, Bending, Fuselage Sections, Exhaust Systems, Test Equipment, Aircraft Doors, Engine Parts |
| Ruag Aerostructures - Ruag Aerospace Structures GmbH | Wind Tunnels, Aircraft Landing Gear, Cable Assemblies, Fairings, Metal Bonding, Metal Structures, Composite Structures, Aircraft Structural Components, Engine Parts, Airframer, Wings, Fuselage Sections, Winglets, Fuel Tanks & Systems, Aerodynamic Test Services, Ordnance Handling Equipment, Aircraft Flooring, Empennages |
| Thales Avionics | Head-Up Displays, LCD Displays |
| Related aircraft programs: |
| Dassault nEUROn |
Weekly news by email:
See the latest Bulletin, and sign up free‑of‑charge for future editions.
Airbus Atlantic commits to EPI for metallic ATR components
Boeing commits to expand in Charleston County
GCAP partners agree to go ahead with next gen combat aircraft
