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DeliciousMoD unveils Taranis demonstrator
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The concept demonstrator will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous, stealth Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) with an intercontinental range.
Named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis will help demonstrate the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems. Flight trials are due in 2011.
The MoD has been keen to stress that should UCAVs enter service, they will be controlled by military crews on the ground at all times.
Taranis is the result of an informal partnership between the MoD, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Qinetiq and GE Aviation. In December 2006, the industrial partners won a £124.5 million contract to develop a UCAV capable of 'striking with precision weapons on a battlefield on another continent'. The contract has since been increased to £142.5 million for the technology demonstrator phase.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, Minister for International Security Strategy Gerald Howarth said: "Taranis is a truly trailblazing project. The first of its kind in the UK, it reflects the best of our nation's advanced design and technology skills and is a leading programme on the global stage."
Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems' Programmes and Support business, said: "Taranis has been three-and-a-half years in the making and is the product of more than a million man-hours.
"It represents a significant step forward in this country's fast-jet capability. This technology is key to sustaining a strong industrial base and to maintain the UK's leading position as a centre for engineering excellence and innovation."
An initial operating capability for Taranis could be expected between 2018 and 2020, Whitehead said, adding: "Whatever goes into service will not look like Taranis but will benefit from its technologies."
HAVE YOUR SAY
I expect 2 or 3 Tornado GR4 squadrons to be cut soon, with the remaining 4 or 5 squadrons being replaced by a mix of F35 and whatever results from the Taranis.
The narrow minded bean counters always seem to cut what on paper we have several of, thus RAF squadrons and navy escorts always being nibbled away since 1991.
Anyway, back to topic, hope the aircraft is developed into service and of benefit to the UK rather than just abandoned for someone else to reap the benefit
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
When comparing the status of this aircraft project and looking at US X47, X45 and French/Swedish up and coming nEUROn we really do appear to be in a leading position worldwide.
Lets hope we can follow through on this and eventually earn some much needed respect for our nation, hopefully to be rebuilt industry and also some foreign exchange.
It would, of course, help if the final solution is not only intercontinental but designed and capable of operating from naval platforms in the tonnage range of c.30.000 to 65,000 tons .... Italy, Spain, Australia, India and UK??
Norman - UK
i also hope this remains british, and not let others [yet] get the same equipment , its about time the british came up with something like this, before the Americans, but can we afford more than one, only time will tell
criss of herts - london
What is the weapon load? Is it a leaflet or a 22,000lb Grand Slam bomb? No point flying thousands of miles just to drop a single 500 lb bomb.
John Hartley - Woking/Surrey/UK