nEUROn, the European Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle demonstrator, has completed its first flight in Istres (France) achieving a major milestone in the nEUROn program, where defense and security company Saab has played a critical role in the design, development and production.

“This first flight demonstrates Saab’s ability to develop and produce advanced aeronautics products. The nEUROn program has resulted in experiences that will further enhance Saab’s competiveness with regard to high-tech and cost efficient design and production methods. The knowledge gained is being used in the development of the next-generation Gripen, our civil production and future activities within Unmanned Aerial Systems,” said Mats Palmberg Vice President and Head of Marketing and Future Products, at Saab’s business area Aeronautics.

Within the program, Saab has been responsible for avionics, fuel systems, critical parts of the ground station, as well as the design and production of the main fuselage. The fuselage was delivered to Dassault Aviation in France in 2011. Saab has also been involved in flight testing, aerodynamics and stealth technology.

nEUROn is the first large size stealth platform designed in Europe. It is a demonstrator optimized and intended for the testing of various key technologies and will not enter serial production. The aim of the demonstrator program is to develop expertise among participating nations and industries in advanced aeronautics.

Furthermore, the participation in the nEUROn program has strengthened Saab’s ability to manage and take part in large collaborative projects with industries and authorities spanning several nations. A particularly valuable experience considering the defense industry’s shift towards a growing share of development work being done collaboratively.

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.