DEFENCE
DEFENCE
ARMAMENTS

The unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) nEUROn (Neuron) is developed through an international consortium, led by the French company Dassault Aviation and in collaboration with the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, the Swedish Saab, the Italian ALENIA, the Spanish EADS CASA and the Swiss RUAG.
NEURON is currently being tested and the total cost per unit of nEUROn is estimated by Dassault to be € 25 million.
The maiden flight of nEUROn, took place on December 1, 2012 in France. The flight tests in France for the evaluation of stealth characteristics were successfully completed in March 2015, while the sensor evaluation tests were completed on August 25, 2015 in Italy. The last part of the flight tests took place in Sweden and included live-fire tests.
Also read: The threat of the Turkish MAM-L missiles and their proven effectiveness – VIDEO
On July 6, 2016, extensive tests were performed on nEUROn stealth capabilities in collaboration with aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Specifically, nEUROn’s mission was to penetrate the aircraft carrier’s defence area in order for the UCAV’s electromagnetic print to be detected. The nEUROn ran several flybys over Charles de Gaulle at low altitude (1000 feet) for about an hour.
The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) contributed to the development of the stealth characteristics of the UCAV, since within the framework of its equal participation in the Program, the company successfully completed the design, development and construction of a significant part of the aircraft with state-of-the-art technologies. HAI announced that approximately 10% of this prototype aircraft was designed, studied, developed and constructed by the Engineers of the Aerospace Systems Design, Research, Design and Development Division and by the ADA Aerospace and Electronics Divisions.
HAI’s contribution to the program concerns more specifically:
- The Exhaust Assembly that consists of the Exhaust Pipe and the Masking Plat, parts that are critical for the IR and Radar stealthy characteristics of the aircraft
- The surrounding Aft Fuselage Assembly
- The Vehicle Monitoring System and Avionics Test Rig

nEUROn exhaust nozzle installation inside the rear fuselage ©Dassault-Aviation
General characteristics of the nEUROn UCAV:
- Length: 9.5 meters
- Wing span: 12 ,5 meters
- Weight without payload: 4,900 kg
- Weight with payload: 7,000 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour, 40 kN (8,992 lbf)
- Maximum speed: 980 km / h (609 mph, 529 kn)
- Flight ceiling: 14,000 m (45,900 feet)
- Armaments: Two laser-guided 250kg (550lb) bombs in two internal weapon bays
ΗΑΙ’s participation in the program dates back to 2010, when on May 14, it delivered the Vehicle’s Monitoring System and Avionics Test Rig. This was the first complete delivery of systems of the entire program that reached the final assembly and test area of the aircraft.
On November 23 of the same year, HAI also delivered the first Exhaust Assembly which was successfully tested under the full spectrum of operating conditions in TARNOS, France.
Also read: The number of Greek Pegasus II unmanned aerial vehicles is growing rapidly – VIDEO
On January 12, 2011, HAI delivered the Aft Fuselage and initiated the appropriate procedures for the final installation to the aircraft. Consequently, HAI delivered the Exhaust Assemblies for final installation and preparation of the ground and flight test phase.
It is the first time that the structure of the fuselage and part of the aircraft engine was designed and constructed from scratch by HAI – but also in the wider Greek area – and in fact with such austere technical requirements. HAI highlights that through the performance and quality recognition by all program partners, the basis of future participation to any European or International manned or unmanned aircraft design is being set.
In another development regarding HAI, the Minister of Finance Mr. Christos Staikouras convened a meeting on April 26, 2021 on the subject of rapid promotion of research and development, innovative design and industrial production of Autonomous Multi-Purpose Aircraft by the Hellenic Aerospace Industry. The Minister further expressed his satisfaction with the steps towards building the much-needed, creative and reliable cooperation between Greek Universities and the HAI, which will allow the country to enter as a producer in the field of high and innovative technology products.
Also read: LOTUS | Next generation UAVs from the Greek IDE for effective border surveillance
* Cover photo: © Dassault Aviation G.Gosset
With information from: HAI, ΑPA-ΜPA, dassault-aviation.com
ARMAMENTS
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
IAI | European NATO member-state orders special-mission aircraft
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced that it signed a contract worth more than USD 200 million on the provision of a special mission…
Saudi Arabia – UAE | Approval for purchase of US air defence systems
The US announced yesterday Tuesday that it has approved potential sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of…
Leonardo | SonAir orders two AW139 helicopters for Angola
Leonardo announced yesterday that SonAir Airline Services (SonAir), owned by the Angolan state oil company Sonangol…
The Smile of the Child | Nestoras achieves highest life goal making the “Smile” proud
Nestoras, member of “The Smile of the Child”, made his dream come true after he managed to receive his Degree in Advanced…
Saudi Arabia | Opens its airspace to flights to and from Israel
In the last few hours, Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to flights to and from Israel for the first time since the announcement of…
European Commission | Funding of immigration management bodies in Greece and Cyprus
The European Commission announced on Wednesday the funding of infrastructure responsible for the reception, asylum provision, and…
IAI | European NATO member-state orders special-mission aircraft
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced that it signed a contract worth more than USD 200 million on the provision of a special mission…
Turkey | Erdogan meets with officials of the Libyan leadership in Ankara
Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a meeting with officials of the Libyan leadership in Ankara, which seems to be intensifying the attack of…
Saudi Arabia – UAE | Approval for purchase of US air defence systems
The US announced yesterday Tuesday that it has approved potential sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates of…
0 Comments