Dassault nEUROn to fly again, driving France’s new combat drone development

The nEUROn combat drone demonstrator, developed under the leadership of Dassault Aviation, is set to return to the skies after a brief hiatus. 

Military sources cited by Challenges reported that France’s General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) is set to award a contract to Dassault Aviation to restore the drone to flight conditions.  

This would pave the way for a new series of test campaigns aimed at advancing France’s new combat drone program. 

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France announces stealth combat drone to support Rafale F5 by 2033

Designing a loyal wingman for the Rafale F5 

On October 8, 2024, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu unveiled plans for a next-generation combat drone. Designed to complement the forthcoming F5 standard of the Rafale fighter jet, the new drone is slated for operational deployment by 2033. 

The advanced unmanned aircraft will incorporate stealth technology, autonomous control systems, and an internal weapons bay. Dubbed a “loyal wingman,” it is envisioned as a versatile asset capable of reconnaissance missions and penetrating enemy defenses ahead of manned fighters like the Rafale. 

“This stealth combat drone, alongside the Rafale F5, will contribute to the technological and operational superiority of the French wings from 2033,” said Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Dassault Aviation and its partners are proud to serve the Armed Forces and the DGA; their renewed trust honors and obliges us.”  

Drawing from the nEUROn demonstrator’s legacy 

Launched as a European collaborative program, the nEUROn project was spearheaded by Dassault Aviation with key contributions from Leonardo (Italy), Saab (Sweden), Airbus (Spain), HAI (Greece), and RUAG (Switzerland).  

The drone took its maiden flight in December 2012 and completed over 170 test flights between 2012 and 2022. It has since been stored at the 125 Air Base in Istres, southern France. 

France is not alone in pursuing new drone technology. The concept of using attritable drones with fighter-like capabilities—commonly known as “loyal wingmen”—to keep pilots and their costly aircraft out of direct danger is a cornerstone of sixth-generation fighter jet development. 

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Airbus to unveil its Wingman concept at ILA Berlin 2024

However, that new generation of drone systems could enter service ahead of their piloted counterparts. At the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin in June 2024, Airbus unveiled its Wingman concept, designed to complement and support the Eurofighter Typhoon.  The post Dassault nEUROn to fly again, driving France’s new combat drone development appeared first on AeroTime.

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