fearsome new fighting machine

fireblade

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A FEARSOME warplane which flies without a pilot or crew but is capable of devastating long-range combat missions was today officially unveiled by defence bosses.

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis, the futuristic fighter will test the possibility of creating the first ever Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle

The prototype could one day be able to strike distant enemy targets on different continents — all controlled by military crews on the ground.

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."

Representing the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design, Taranis is an informal partnership of the MOD and industry talents including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

Speaking on behalf of the industry team, Nigel Whitehead, of BAE Systems, 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."

The Taranis prototype will provide the MOD with critical knowledge on the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems.

Flight trials are due in 2011.

view the pictures at this link.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...ys/3050749/Fearsome-new-fighting-machine.html

NASA - Home
 
Did anybody catch the documentary about QinetiQ after top gear last night ?

As for the fighter, I wonder how 'remote' it is. Will it require a human flying it, it fire weapons, pick targets, etc or will be completely automated.
 
A FEARSOME warplane which flies without a pilot or crew but is capable of devastating long-range combat missions was today officially unveiled by defence bosses.

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis, the futuristic fighter will test the possibility of creating the first ever Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle

The prototype could one day be able to strike distant enemy targets on different continents — all controlled by military crews on the ground.

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."

Representing the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design, Taranis is an informal partnership of the MOD and industry talents including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

Speaking on behalf of the industry team, Nigel Whitehead, of BAE Systems, 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."

The Taranis prototype will provide the MOD with critical knowledge on the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems.

Flight trials are due in 2011.

view the pictures at this link.

Fearsome new fighting machine | The Sun |News|Campaigns|Our Boys

NASA - Home

errr...Think you best read it again mate.
 
Yes oneman QinetiQ was interesting and it was good to see that they also did some stuff other than defence.

As for the unmanned weapon of destruction I seem to recall the Germans had one called the Doodlebug and it probably didn't cost zillions of pounds to build.

The thing that never ceases to amaze me is that no matter how deep in the financial s**t we are there is always spare zillions around to develop such stuff for military use.
 
Mean piece of kit, Take some training to fly it remotely unless done from a simulator style unit with 360 degree vision.

Time will tell if the technology is of any use.
 
I guess its private money for development. You got to remember that defense if one of our largest exports, its BAE one of the largest defense contractors globally.

As for flying that thing remotely, the US already do it with the drones though of course they are not air to air fighters. If I remember isn't global hawk the size of a passenger airline and have flown from US to Oz.

Another odd fact, the UK drones are piloted by RAF personal based in the US.
 
A missile firing stringless spy kite. The possibilities are endless. I want one.
 
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