The LogiDuc Process

Source: Dassault Aviation, June 9, 2004.

As early as the late nineties, Dassault Aviation promoted an autonomous, self-financed innovative approach to enhance its own UAV design capability, based on its recognized know-how as a major player in business jets and air combat systems design.

The Petit Duc Stealth UAV (AVE-D)

Proceeding with a step by step technological approach, Dassault Aviation aimed, in a first step, at mastering stealth aircraft design and confronting it to modern air-to-air and ground-to-air combat systems. The Petit Duc - the first stealth unmanned aircraft to fly in Europe - achieved this goal on July 18th 2000 with its first version, the AVE-D.

The Moyen Duc Tactical UAV (AVE-C)

Designed and built within a rapid prototyping to cost methodology, this UAV has been joined by a second member of the family, the AVE-C, designed along the same lines to experiment unstable yaw aircraft control methods.

In a second step, the objective is to master the integration of an unmanned aircraft into a controlled airspace. This is to be achieved through the Moyen Duc demonstrator, launched in July 2001, a slow and fast air vehicle capable of fulfilling a complete coordinated tactical UAV mission profile. This demonstrator is due to fly in the third quarter of 2004.

The Neuron UCAV Demonstrator

The next envisionned step, initially known as the Grand Duc, final stage of the LogiDuc process, calls for the acquisition of more complex techniques such as full mission system representativity, composite pack airborne control and collaborative flight, as well as live air to ground weapon release. The Neuron, European UCAV demonstrator program, for which Dassault Aviation has been selected as prime contractor, will benefit from Dassault's technological expertise on UAVs achieved all along the LogiDuc process.

• La démarche Logiduc de Dassault