Neuron Technology Demonstrator Enters Definition Phase

Published: Jun 13, 2007
Source: www.defense-aerospace.com

Acting in its capacity as the program’s executive agency, France’s defense procurement agency, Delegation Generale pour l’Armement (DGA) officially notified the Neuron Strategic Board, consisting of representatives from armament procurement services of Italy (Segredifesa), Sweden (FMV), Spain (DGAM), Greece (GDDAI), Switzerland (Armasuisse) and France (DGA), that it had awarded a EUR 130 million contract for the project definition phase of the <a href="/page/73/nEUROn-UCAV.html">Neuron technology demonstrator</a>.

The definition phase will last 19 months. Its goal is to validate the design and “freeze” the shapes of the demonstrator aircraft, and to detail its component systems and their interfaces.

This phase will be followed by the development and assembly of the NEURON demonstrator for a first flight planned in the first half of 2011. Flight tests will take place in France, in Sweden then in Italy and will last approximately 18 months.

Launch of the definition phase follows on to the feasibility phase, jointly carried out over period of 15 months period by an industry group comprising Alenia Aeronautica, SAAB, EADS CASA, HAI, RUAG Aerospace, Thales and Dassault Aviation, which is the prime contractor of this venture.

Work during the feasibility phase followed the framework of technology roadmaps in innovative aeronautical areas such as stealthiness, flight control of a rudder-less airframe, open modular avionics and development of internal weapon bays.

The process has made it possible to make significant breakthroughs relating to the precise definition of external shapes, the manufacture of stealth materials, the avionics architecture and the selection of an off-the-shelf fighter engine.

These advances, which substantially reduce most program risks tied to advanced technologies, were achieved according to the initial program schedule thanks, in particular, to wind tunnel testing, measurement of stealth levels in an anechoic chamber, and various laboratory tests of related technologies.

Source: <a href="http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/votre_espace/presse/communiques/2007/lancement_de_la_phase_de_definition_du_demonstrateur_neuron" target="_blank"> Delegation Generale pour l’Armement (DGA)</a>

<center><a href="/php/displ_img.php?imgurl=/MIL/_EXP/neuron/neuron_dassault2.jpg"><img src="/MIL/_EXP/neuron/neuron_dassault2_sm.jpg" alt="Dassault Concept" /></a>
<p class="cap">Dassault Concept</p></center>
<center><a href="/php/displ_img.php?imgurl=/MIL/_EXP/neuron/neuron_lebourget2005.jpg"><img src="/MIL/_EXP/neuron/neuron_lebourget2005_sm.jpg" alt="nEUROn @ Le Bourget 2005" /></a>
<p class="cap">nEUROn @ Le Bourget 2005</p></center>
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