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BAE Systems Led UCAV Programme Breaks New Ground
Warton, UK (SPX) Oct 17, 2007 The cutting of first metal for the UK's 124m Taranis UCAV (unmanned combat air vehicle) technology demonstrator programme means that the BAE Systems led team remains well on track for first flight in 2010. In addition to the physical manufacture of the Taranis airframe now being underway, the design of the autonomous systems have also been finalised. Taranis, at about the size of a BAE Systems Hawk, will be the largest UAV yet built in the UK, and as part of the UK MoD's Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experiment) (SUAV(E)) programme will explore and demonstrate how emerging technologies and systems can deliver battle-winning capabilities for the UK armed forces. BAE Systems is the industry lead and prime contractor with other industry partners comprising QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce and the systems division of GE Aviation (formally Smiths Aerospace). Chris Allam, BAE Systems' Taranis project director, said: "The brains of Taranis are designed and coherent. What we have designed is a system that can autonomously control the aircraft to taxi, take off, and navigate its way to a search area while reacting to any threats or other events. It will then route its way around the search area in whichever way it wants to, locate the target, and then use its sensor system to transmit a series of images and views back to the operator to confirm it is the target to be attacked. Then, once it has been authorised to do so, it autonomously attacks that target, routes its way back home, lands and taxies back. Related Links UAV News - Suppliers and Technology
Reaper Aids Commanders On Battlefield
Washington DC (AFNS) Oct 15, 2007The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking enemy targets with on-board weapons, the Reaper has conducted close-air support and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. |
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