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Dassault nEUROn

History

Dassault nEUROn is an unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV) technology demonstrator designed to provide a viable, long-term solution to weaponized UCAVs for participating European powers. While the nEUROn programme is primarily managed by the French group (Dassault), it is a European joint venture that includes Sweden's Saab AB, Italy's Alenia Aeronautica, Spain's EADS CASA, Greece's EAB, Switzerland's RUAG and Thales, among others . From France, and EADS France. Dassault will be responsible for final assembly and flight testing of the aircraft, while the base design, avionics and fuel systems are developed by Saab.

The weapons package will be handled by Alenia Aeronautica, while the communications system will be provided by EADS CASA and Thales.

Neuron was originally born out of Dassault's concept for a larger, unassuming, unmanned, nuclear-capable twin-engine bomber, until the product shrunk in size and scope to a single-engine with a larger supply Technical demonstration to design conventional weapons (after increased participation in Europe). The data obtained from this program will be used to produce viable end-product solutions for mass production be it a UCAV or a future full-fledged manned aircraft.

With many participating countries not expected to procure full-fledged manned aircraft for decades to come, the UCAV program will pave the way for future partnerships and provide much-needed experience in joint design, development and manufacturing in a single Europe Origin of aircraft systems. Therefore, the long-term benefits of the program are obvious.

Externally, the Dassault nEUROn is given a traditional shape with delta wings, all protrusions are arranged along the upper surface of the wing, making the fuselage and the underside of the wing as flat and featureless as possible. At the top center of the design is a single-engine unit with a trapezoidal air intake for intake to the engine and exhaust at the rear via a specially designed radar reduction assembly.

The fuselage and wings are fused into a single undisturbed surface for added stealth quality, and there are no vertical tail surfaces - making the nEUROn essentially a "flying wing" design. The landing gear will be fully retractable to the bottom of the fuselage (and a traditional tricycle arrangement), while the intended weapons bays remain inside to further enhance stealth.

In size, the nEUROn has a barrel length of 31 feet and a wingspan of 41 feet, comparable to full-size manned aircraft designs or similar UCAV offerings such as the Lockheed RQ-170 Sentinel. It has an empty weight of 4,900kg and can displace 7,000kg under full load, while power comes from a single Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour/SNECMA M88 turbofan engine located in the centre of the fuselage. Top speed is estimated to be just over 600 mph, with service expected to be capped at 46,000 feet.

Flight controls and weapons delivery are designed with full autonomy in mind, with human-machine interaction as a fallback if necessary.

Flight tests of nEUROn are planned for 2012. The program has been running since 1999, when Dassault became the first European power to conduct a test flight of a "stealth" UCAV.