Europe’s nEUROn unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator was presented in flight at an air meet at Istres organised by the French Air Force. It is the first time in world aeronautical history that a stealth aircraft controlled from the ground has flown in public.

The event – which was prepared by teams from Dassault Aviation, along with the French defence procurement agency DGA and the French Air Force – was able to take place thanks to the reliability and safety demonstrated by the nEUROn since the start of testing in 2012.

”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,” declared Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier.

In March 2014, the nEUROn became the world’s first unmanned combat air vehicle to fly in formation with other aircraft (a Rafale and a Falcon 7X).

Furthermore, outside the United States, 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, including tests involving operational detection systems (radar and infrared) and launch of a weapon from an internal bay at high speed.

nEUROn is a European programme for an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) technology demonstrator, conducted by Dassault Aviation as prime contractor under the authority of French defence procurement agency DGA. It heralds tomorrow’s defence programmes, since it federates expertise from across Europe (France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Greece and Switzerland).