Posted on 07/12/2010 10:54:00 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Named after the Celtic god of thunder, this £142.5million prototype was unveiled by the Ministry of Defence.
It is the size of a light aircraft, has stealth technology that makes it virtually undetectable and has been hailed the pinnacle of British engineering.
The craft, which will undergo flight trials next year, has an array of sensors to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
However, it also has the ability to carry bombs and missiles, giving it a potential long-range strike capability. And it can be controlled from anywhere in the world, via satellite communication.
Taranis is a truly trailblazing project, said Gerald Howarth, minister for international security strategy. The first of its kind in the UK, it reflects the best of our nations advanced design and technology skills and is a leading programme on the global stage.
The model was created by the MoD with help from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.
Taranis has taken three-and-a-half years and more than 1million man-hours to make, said Nigel Whitehead at BAE Systems. The jet was unveiled at the companys base in Warton, Lancashire
(Excerpt) Read more at metro.co.uk ...
Ping
...which means the Chinese or other foreign power can hack into it and bomb the Brits using their own plane.
it will have Kaspersky installed..
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