BAE Systems Taranis
| Taranis | |
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| A scale model of the Taranis UCAV on display at the 2008 Farnborough Airshow. | |
| Role | Autonomous UAV/UCAV |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems |
| Primary user | United Kingdom |
| Program cost | £143 million (initial prototype) |
The BAE Systems Taranis is a British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology. A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, it is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets. It will furthermore utilise stealth technology, giving it a low radar profile, and it will be controllable via satellite link from anywhere on Earth.[1][2] The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team, or SUAV(E) IPT, is responsible for auditing and overseeing the project.[3] The aircraft, which is intended to demonstrate the viability of unmanned multi-role systems, is named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis.[4]
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[edit] Background
The development of UAVs was a key part of the UK's Defence Industrial Strategy, which was announced in December 2005, and specified the need for the UK to maintain its "sovereign" aircraft and UAV/UCAV construction skills.[5][6]
[edit] Design and development
The Taranis project is led by BAE Systems, and also involves Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation Systems, QinetiQ and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).[5] As the prime contractor, BAE Systems is responsible for the overall programme, and also for many of the component technologies, including stealth technology, systems integration and system control infrastructure.[7] BAE Systems and QinetiQ are working closely on all aspects relating to the autonomy of the system.
GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths Aerospace) is responsible for providing Taranis' fuel-gauging and electrical power systems.[7] Rolls-Royce is responsible for the propulsion system and installation;[7] the aircraft is expected to use a Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.951 turbofan.[8] BAE Systems Australia is tasked with developing and supplying the flight control computers,[7] having a 5% workshare in the project, while the Integrated Systems Technologies (Insyte) subsidiary of BAE Systems is providing C4ISTAR support.[7]
BAE Systems stated that "Taranis will make use of at least 10 years of research and development into low observables, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy. It follows the completion of risk-reduction activities to ensure the mix of technologies, materials and systems used are robust enough for the 'next logical step'."[5] These "risk-reduction activities" included related BAE programmes, such as Replica, Nightjar I, Nightjar II, Kestrel, Corax, Raven and HERTI.
The first steel for the Taranis prototype was cut in September 2007, and assembly began in February 2008.[9] Ground testing started in early 2009.[10] On 9 January 2009, the Ministry of Defence denied that the Taranis had been flying near the site of a damaged wind turbine, after local people claimed to have seen a UFO.[11]
[edit] Prototype
The Taranis prototype, which cost £143 million to develop, was unveiled by BAE Systems at Warton Aerodrome, Lancashire, on 12 July 2010.[12][13] Flight trials were initially expected to begin in 2011,[2] but as of October 2011 the aircraft's first flight has been delayed to 2012.[14]
The prototype has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of about 8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb), and is of a similar size to the BAE Hawk. It mounts two internal weapons bays,[8] and is intended to incorporate "full autonomy", allowing it to operate without human control for a large part of the mission.[15]
[edit] Specifications
Although the aircraft is still in development phase, the latest specifications which are publicly available are as follows:[7]
- Height: 4 metres (13 ft)
- Length: 11.35 metres (37.2 ft)
- Wingspan: 9.1 metres (30 ft)
- Weight: 8 tonnes (18,000 lb)
- Range: Intercontinental
- Engine thrust: 6,480 lb
[edit] See also
- Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom
- Unmanned aerial vehicle
- Northrop Grumman X-47B
- Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel
- List of unmanned aerial vehicles
[edit] References
- ^ Emery, Daniel (2010-07-12). "MoD lifts lid on unmanned combat plane prototype". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/10602105.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ a b "Taranis: The £143million unmanned stealth jet that will hit targets in another continent". Daily Mail. 2010-07-12. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1294037/Taranis-The-143million-unmanned-stealth-jet-hit-targets-continent.html. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
- ^ "Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team". Ministry of Defence. 2009. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/tna/+/http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/microsite/des/ourteams/air/strategicunmannedairvehiclesexperimentintegratedprojectteam.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ^ "Taranis". BAE Systems. 2006. http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/Taranis/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ^ a b c "BAE Systems to lead £124 million UAV technology demonstrator program" (Press release). BAE Systems plc. 2006-12-07. http://147.29.80.132/newsroom/2006/dec/071206news1.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- ^ "MoD To Invest In UAV Technology". MoD Oracle (NSI (Holdings) Ltd). 2006-12-07. http://www.modoracle.com/?page=http://www.modoracle.com/news/detail.h2f?id=12175. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- ^ a b c d e f "Taranis Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) Demonstrator, United Kingdom". Airforce Technology.com. 2010-07-13. http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/tanaris/. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ^ a b "BAE Systems Taranis". FlugRevue. 2007. http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/frtypen/FRTaran.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-09.
- ^ Assembly Starts of Taranis Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
- ^ Industry Outlook: Taranis Skin, Aviation Week and Space Technology, Vol. 167, No. 13, October 1, 2007.
- ^ "Telegraph: UFO turbine mystery theories in full". The Daily Telegraph (London). 2009-01-09. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4206116/UFO-turbine-mystery-the-theories-in-full.html. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ Taranis unmanned stealth aircraft unveiled in Warton
- ^ "Taranis: The £143m Fighter Jet Of The Future". Ministry of Defence. 2010. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Taranis-MoD-And-BAE-Systems-Unveil-Futuristic-Unmanned-Fighter-Jet/Article/201007215663917?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15663917_Taranis:_MoD_And_BAE_Systems_Unveil_Futuristic_Unmanned_Fighter_Jet. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ^ "Europe's industry cuts jobs". Defense News, 2 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
- ^ Marks, Paul (2010-07-12). "Warning sounded over British dogfighting drone". Aviation Week. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19162-warning-sounded-over-british-dogfighting-drone.html. Retrieved 2010-07-12.
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