A light tail wind on the European scene: as the year draws to an end the Neuron picture increasingly appears to be coming into focus. The French defence procurement agency, DGA, is expected to have, by the time these lines are read, awarded Neuron a contract for the launch of the development of the European unmanned combat aircraft demonstrator.

The aim of the Neuron programme, through the development of a demonstrator aircraft, is clearly to pave the way for Europe's defence aviation future. Indeed a number of European fighter aircraft manufacturers have understood that it is now highly unlikely that a new "traditional" fighter aircraft will be needed in the next two decades (particularly under a single-nation programme), their only chance to remain at the forefront of aviation technology was to place their assets and know-how into a common pot. The days when everyone kept their secrets close to their chest belong to the past, and there is now a lot more to be gained by sharing risks.

There are still two pending positions regarding the Dassault-led Neuron programme though, with Belgium apparently still interested in taking part in the venture but has not yet signed up, and Sweden still needing to make a governmental commitment. The latter case is somewhat odd since Saab is definitely an industrial partner, having signed the industrial partnership agreement, as have Alenia (Italy), Dassault (France), Ruag (Switzerland), Hellenic Aerospace Industries (Greece) and Eads-Casa (Spain).

One may legitimately wonder why the French DGA is the entity that is in charge of a 400 million [euro] budget concerning a European project. This is because this agency has been entrusted with the co-ordination at governmental level and designated the 'executive agency' for all the nations involved.

According to Dassault the main design and the overall shape definition of the aircraft have been completed. The current aim with the Neuron demonstrator, a life-size model of which was displayed at the 2005 Paris Air Show, is to use as many existing systems as possible. Upon receiving the above-mentioned contract, the programme will move into a three-year research and development phase and, with a certain overlap, will engage in the actual fabrication of the aircraft for its maiden flight in 2010 from the French Istres Air Force base. Subsequent tests, including low observability, weapon separation--particularly from its conformal bay--and firing will follow and will also involve ranges in Sweden and Italy. The main challenge will be to demonstrate the aircraft's ability to integrate itself into the current air traffic flow.

Dassault is the main contractor, while Saab is in charge of the general design, HAI the tail and exhaust sections, Eads Spain the wing, datalink integration and ground station, Ruag with the wind tunnel tests and weapon interfacing and Alenia the 'smart weapon bay', electric power generation, air data systems and flight tests.

On the other hand, the idea of developing a hybrid manned/unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft based on the SC2A Ameur Aviation design appears to have been put on the back burner. The study had been announced at the 2005 Paris Air Show and was to respond to a consultation from the DGA.

IAV2 & Sensors

The BAE Systems IAV2 achieved it first autonomous and untethered flight in early September at the company's Southern California test facility. During this seven-minute flight, the ducted fan-powered drone performed a preprogrammed course that included automatic (vertical) take-off, a ten-waypoint navigation course at multiple ground speeds, loitering and automatic landing. The successor to the IAV1, the IAV2, is being developed as part of a company-funded programme to investigate the suitability of a family of vertical take-off and landing (vtol) drones for company and platoon-level application.

Eonic is announcing the availability of a new multiple-mission payload for drones. The Dutch company was founded in 1999 as a spin-off of TNO and Delft University of Technology, and specialises in multiple-processor signal processing systems. The new synthetic aperture radar processing system is known as the X3 and, due to its light weight and power demands, opens the door of full on-board processing to a number of drones in the lighter category. The company also offers high bandwidth elint, comint and sigint signal digitising platforms, but in a larger platform format has also been selected to supply Mirage Systems with a synthetic aperture radar processor for a helicopter. The intention of this US Army-sponsored programme is to empower the radar with the capability to penetrate the ground and detect the presence of land mines.

After Wales, Finland

Robonic, the Finnish catapult launcher manufacturer, has announced that it is in the process of establishing a dedicated unmanned aircraft test flight centre at Kemijarvi, some 90 kilometres East of Father Christmas' hometown of Rovaniemi. Being located just inside the Arctic Circle, the 1200-metre runway and 1500 [km.sup.2] range will no doubt provide ideal conditions to test drones in a cold environment. The airfield is expected to be ready to start operations in Spring 2006. The aim of the company is to provide turnkey services, including paperwork and clearance with the Finnish civil aviation authorities. Some longer-term development options include the use of the range for civil and military UAV pilot training as well as systems integration development testing.

Toys

The above reference to Rovaniemi brings the authors mind to the Christmas toy catalogues that have recently invaded his 'snail mail' box. For around or less than $100 children can now experience the joys of electrically powered twin-propeller aero-planes that automatically return to base and land automatically. A similarly priced helicopter will autonomously land if it is accidentally flown beyond the range of the remote-control station. One wonders how long will it be before they get synthetic aperture radar? The Editor and his team take mention of this very apropos subject to wish all Armada International readers the very best for the New Year.