Progress in Neuron programme
Article Type: News and views From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 5
Neuron is one of the most ambitious and high-profile aeronautical programme in Europe this decade. Saab is main partner and after a long period of development and tests, the production of main fuselage is soon to begin.
Neuron is a common European project with purpose to develop a unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV)-demonstrator including aeronautical future cutting-edge technology. The Neuron craft is 10 m long, 12 m wide, and weighs 7 tones (Figure 1). The first flight is planned to 2012.
France is the main contractor and the Swedish part is in the order of 25 percent with Saab as Main National Subcontractor. Other participants are Italy,Spain, Greece, and Switzerland. At the moment, nearly 1,000 engineers in different parts of Europe are actively involved.
Saab is mainly focusing on areas such as aerostructures, avionics,airworthiness, fuel system, autonomy, stealth, and mission software.
The programme follows schedule and after a range of successful tests the production of the main fuselage in Linköping is soon to begin.
