Dassault Aviation has presented its nEUROn unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator at an air meet organised by the French Air Force.
The nEUROn performed a 15-minute flight demonstration at Dassault Aviation flight test centre.
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After takeoff, a Rafale and a Falcon 8X joined the nEUROn, and the three aircraft flew in formation at an altitude of 150m and a speed of 350kmph.
Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said: "This formation of three aircraft illustrates the technological expertise necessary for tomorrow’s aeronautical projects.
"It also contributes to the centennial celebrations of our Group, which has been designing, building and supporting civil and military aircraft since 1916."
During in-flight trials, nEUROn demonstrated an air-to-ground mission, with the detection, localisation and reconnaissance of ground targets in autonomous modes.
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By GlobalDataThe detectability of a stealth platform facing ground or aerial threats was also evaluated.
In May this year, French defence procurement agency DGA launched an additional series of tests to study the use of an unmanned combat air vehicle in a naval context.
Earlier in March 2014, the nEUROn became the world’s first UCAV to fly in formation with other aircraft.
Outside the US, the nEUROn team is the first in the world to have designed, built and flown a stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator and the first to have submitted it to a comprehensive test programme, according to Dassault Aviation.
The 10m-long UCAV with 12.5m wingspan can travel at a maximum speed of 0.8 Mach.
Image: nEUROn, Falcon 8X and Rafale in flight. Photo: © Dassault Aviation S. Randé.
