Non-Subscriber Extract
Sweden reverses Neuron UCAV funding decision
- Article Tools
| 21 December 2005 |
By Guy Anderson, JDI Editor
Sweden has reversed a decision to withhold funding from the European Neuron programme with the announcement that SEK600 million (USD76.3 million) will be invested in the unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator project.
Swedish aerospace group Saab - which is looking to develop Neuron in co-operation with French lead partner Dassault Aviation - described the decision to invest as "crucial for both Saab and Sweden".
Stockholm's decision to invest comes after the FMV (Defence Materiel Administration) submitted in mid-November a report on alternatives to the Neuron. "They concluded that there were alternatives in theory," said Saab's Deputy Chief Executive Ingemar Andersson, "but that they would cost more". He added that there was also a credibility issue over whether Sweden is "considered a reliable partner".
The Neuron programme is Saab's most recent move into UAVs.
In 2004, the Swedish group began development of the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) - a combat and reconnaissance aircraft for short-range surveillance - and the Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV, which is designed for combat and reconnaissance operations covering larger areas and higher altitudes.
172 of 378 words