Important player in Neuron
The Neuron-program is now officially launched and Saab is playing an important role. The program is being headed up by France’s Dassault Aviation and involves only the best aviation corporations in Europe.
2/9/2006 | The Neuron-partnership sees six European countries jointly developing a European UCAV, Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, demonstrator. Neuron will be a demonstrator measuring 10 meters long by 12 wide and weighing in at 5 tons. It will also be completely autonomous and undetectable by radar. The maiden flight is planned for 2011.
Illustration: The Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle demonstrator Neuron.
In developing the demonstrator the companies involved will be developing cutting-edge technology for future UAVs. These technologies include advanced aeronautics, autonomous decision-making, stealth technology for avoiding detection, as well as adaptation to network based defense.
A program for the best
In addition to Sweden and France, the program also involves Italy, Spain, Greece and Switzerland. The six-nation collaboration has now started up in earnest, and every day sees around 50 development engineers from the companies involved gathering in offices at Dassault Aviation in Paris. At most some 1,000 people will be working on Neuron in a virtual environment, from Paris and other locations in Europe. About 100 people from Saab will be involved in the project and at most 15 people stationed in Paris. The project is characterized by experience and excellency. All the participating companies have had to undergo a qualifying stage to prove that they are the best in their field.
Saab among the management
Chief project manager Thierry Prunier comes from Dassault Aviation, and the deputy project managers are Mats Ohlson of Saab and Ermanno Bertolina of Alenia. Saab is participating in the overall design alongside Dassault.
“Saab is performing well in international competition, and our extensive involvement in Neuron is further proof of this,” says Mats Ohlson.
For Saab, the main attraction of taking part in Neuron are the new technologies being developed as part of the program. This experience can then be applied in areas such as evolution of the Gripen or in new military and civilian UAV projects.
Illustration: Saab's work packages in the Neuron program.
Important work packages
Saab is responsible for work packages in several important areas. In addition to the management remit alongside Dassault and the overall design commitment, Saab is also responsible for the avionic system, autonomy functions, some flight testing and verification, technical design and production of the fuselage, the fuel system, and low signature adaptation of the exhaust pipe and landing gear doors. Saab is also the coordinator for all the Swedish corporations involved.
“Our participation in Neuron will give us invaluable experience, knowledge and contacts for the future, and we have an exciting future ahead of us,” says Mats Ohlson.