Dassault AVE-D Petit Duc
| Company type | Subcontractor |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, UAV manufacturing |
| Founder | Jacques Rantet |
| Headquarters | Milly-la-Forêt , France |
Key people | Jacques Rantet (manager), Éric Rantet (aeronautical engineer) |
| Products | Civilian and military aviation products, precision jet-powered RC planes, UAVs, aerial target drones, GPS ground control stations |
The Dassault AVE-D Petit Duc represented a scaled-down stealth UAV prototype created in France around 2000, marking the initial step in Dassault Aviation's LOGIDUC initiative aimed at advancing UCAV technology. The acronym AVE-D translates to Aéoronef de Validation Expérimentale - Discrétion ("Experimental Validation Aircraft - Stealth"), while petit duc—meaning "small"—alludes to the Eurasian scops-owl and cleverly ties into the LOGIDUC project's naming convention. Initial models were crafted by the French subcontractor Aviation Design, with later units assembled directly by Dassault.
Between 1999 and 2000, a collaborative team from Dassault and Aviation Design developed the first prototype, which took eight months to complete at Aviation Design’s Milly-la-Forêt workshop. This company specializes in both civilian and military aviation products, including precision jet-powered RC planes, UAVs, aerial target drones utilized for French Army exercises, and GPS ground control stations. The firm is managed by Jacques Rantet, an experienced pilot, alongside his son Éric, who holds a background in aeronautical engineering.
To achieve minimal radar and infrared detection, the Petit Duc was constructed entirely from carbon fiber and other specialized stealth composites, resulting in a radar cross-section comparable to that of a small bird. Flight operations are tracked via GPS, monitoring key metrics such as velocity, altitude, turbine function, and fuel levels. The UAV incorporates an autopilot system equipped with onboard computing and gyroscopic stabilization for precise control. It features retractable landing gear designed for conventional runway takeoffs and landings, complemented by an emergency parachute deployment system. Notably, on July 18, 2000, the Dassault AVE became the first stealth unmanned aircraft to conduct a flight in Europe.