The Neuron, Europe's first unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), completed its first flight on December 1 in France, according to French media Le Monde on December 2. 

Joint development of the craft began in 2006 involving teams from France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Greece and Switzerland. 

France's Ministry of Defense announced on its official website on December 20 that the Neuron has set precedent for the next generation of fighters and stands testament to Europe's ambition to lead in the world's development of unmanned combat craft.