The "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Posted on 07/22/2008 4:45:50 PM PDT by Libloather
BAE to develop unmanned aircraft with British Defense Ministry
14 Jul, 2008, 2127 hrs IST, AGENCIES
FARNBOROUGH: BAE Systems PLC said on Monday it will develop an unmanned aircraft that can drop laser-guided bombs and fire missiles in a program jointly funded by Britain's Ministry of Defense.
BAE announced the plans for the propeller-powered vehicle, known as Mantis, at the Farnborough International Airshow, outside London, and displayed a full-size model on the tarmac.
The deal with the Defense Ministry, which covers the first phase of development and flight testing only, is designed to demonstrate the potential of a large unmanned aircraft in supporting Britain's future military programs. The pair did not disclose financial terms.
The Mantis is armed with GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and Brimstone missiles on its six weapon pylons. The twin-prop, T-tailed vehicle is equipped with a multi-sensor turret and radar under the fuselage, and a satellite communications antenna in the upper nose section.
It could be a competitor to the Reaper, which is now used by the Royal Air Force in Afghanistan and by the U.S. Air Force in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
BAE said the design and manufacture of the Mantis and its associated ground control infrastructure was already under way.
The aircraft will be assembled and ground testing will take place this year, with the first flight scheduled for early 2009.
Simon Bollom, director general of Combat Air at the Defense Ministry, said the development program on the unmanned autonomous system, or UAS, would ``help maintain UK indigenous capabilities in this fast evolving area.''
``We expect to see positive early results before deciding about further investment in a longer term program.''
Kane said it was too early to discuss whether the Mantis would, like the Reaper, become a program under sovereign operational rights where Britain would have the exclusive right to the aircraft but permit foreign sales.
The RAF was able to purchase three Reapers as part of an urgent operational requirement to support troops fighting in Afghanistan. One of those aircraft crashed with what is believed to have been engine trouble.
Industrial partners on the new project include Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, Selex Galileo, GE Aviation and Meggitt.
The "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Hell, why don’t they just scale down a Supermarine Spitfire aeroframe, and give it a large internal fuel tank and a rocket pod with a TV camera and IR capability?
BAE Systems and UK MOD Announce Mantis UAS Demonstrator Programme
Posted on: Jul. 14th, 2008 || Source: BAE Systems | E-mail Article | Print Article
Farnborough, UK – BAE Systems has entered into a jointly funded 1st phase of a programme with the UK Ministry of Defence to develop an Unmanned Autonomous System (UAS) that will help shape technology development for the UK’s future UAS capability.
The Mantis UAS Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator programme will bring together technologies, capabilities and systems that will demonstrate the potential of a large unmanned aircraft to support future UK Operational needs.
Phase one of the programme will see BAE Systems working alongside the MOD and key UK industrial parties including Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, SELEX Galileo and Meggitt.
The design and manufacture of the twin-engine Mantis and the associated ground control infrastructure is already underway. Assembly, vehicle ground testing and infrastructure integration testing will take place later this year, with first flight currently scheduled for early 2009.
Mark Kane, Managing Director of Autonomous Systems and Future Capability at BAE Systems, said: “Mantis is another important step forward in the development of UAS capabilities in the UK. The aim is to prove that the integrated technologies on Mantis, that build on several years autonomous UAS experience within BAE Systems and the wider UK industry, can provide the tangible military capability and levels of performance required for future UK UAS Operations.”
On behalf of the UK MOD, AVM Simon Bollom, DG Combat Air, commented: “Mantis is an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator that will provide an opportunity to exploit emerging technologies, capabilities and systems. Its rapid development will provide indicators of how we can improve the acquisition process to deliver capability swiftly into fast changing military environments. A development programme such as Mantis will also help maintain UK indigenous capabilities in this fast evolving area. We expect to see positive early results before deciding about further investment in a longer term programme.”
The Mantis benefits from low-cost advanced construction techniques developed on earlier BAE Systems UAS programmes and provides for a wide range of “plug and play” systems and equipment, as well as enabling flexible external stores carriage. A triplex flight control system will give high system reliability and integrity, with full exploitation of onboard autonomy reducing operator workload and increasing system performance. The novel design will also explore how low logistical footprint and ease of support could reduce through-life operating costs.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.
CAUSE ITS NOT STEALTHY..
Well although I don't smoke, I still think this anti-smoking madness has gone to far, Brimstone missiles? Those puppies aren't cheap and way OVERKILL.
the global hawk is completely autonomous you click a mouse once and it flies away you click the mouse again to shut it down when it lands
In 2001 The United States’ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Global Hawk made international aviation history when it completed the first non-stop flight across the Pacific Ocean by an autonomous aircraft, flying from Edwards Air Force Base on the west coast of the U.S. to RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Global Hawk, renamed Southern Cross II for its deployment to Australia, ended its 22hour first trans-Pacific flight at the Royal Australian Air Force’s Edinburgh Base north of Adelaide.
and this is the Boeing x-45 a autonomous bomber that they are also curently testing to take off and land on carriers.
I like your idea as it conjures up impressive looking images.
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