UK: MoD unveils unmanned fighter jet 'of the future' (Taranis, named after Celtic god of thunder)

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 7/13/10 | AFP

[NormsRevenge]

LONDON (AFP) – An unmanned jet capable of striking long-range targets has been dubbed the "combat aircraft of the future" by the Ministry of Defence.

The Taranis -- named after the Celtic god of thunder -- was unveiled at a ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, on Monday.

The £142.5 million prototype is the size of a light aircraft and has been equipped with stealth technology to make it virtually undetectable.

In a press release, the MoD described the Taranis as "a prototype unmanned combat aircraft of the future."

It is built to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions while its crew stays safely on the ground and can control the aircraft from anywhere in the world.

The unmanned fighter jet can also carry bombs and missiles and, if the trials prove successful, the MoD said it should "ultimately be capable of striking targets at long range, even in another continent."

[NormsRevenge]

This handout photo from the Ministry of Defence shows the Taranis, an unmanned jet capable of striking long-range targets has been dubbed the "combat aircraft of the future" by the Ministry of Defence. (MoD/BAE Systems)

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

We need a computer system to link all these fighter robots. Something with a catchy name — “Skynet” perhaps?

[La Lydia]

Way cool name, too.

[Lazamataz]

We need a computer system to link all these fighter robots. Something with a catchy name — “Skynet” perhaps?

Naaooooo. Eef you do that, then Skynet will beecome selv-aware in the yeear Twenty-Ohh-Fourteen and deeestroy all hoomans.

[Red Badger]

We need a computer system to link all these fighter robots. Something with a catchy name — “Skynet” perhaps?

How about Colossus?...........

[rdl6989]

UFO sightings over UK will increase very soon.

[Red Badger]

Back in ‘07, Ron Howard was interested in a re-make of that classic......I don’t know whatever happened to that...............Eric Braeden (Dr. Forbin) is still acting on Young & the Restless............

[Daaave]

[Clioman]

Sic semper Taranis! Oh, wait. Never mind....

[dglang]

Sure looks a lot like our B2 bomber except for the lack of the cockpit and second engine. Same stealth characteristics?

[Daaave]

Same stealth characteristics?

I haven't seen any specs on this aircraft. It has a large air inlet. Is the engine internally shielded from radar?

The exhaust outlet is configured to lower radar returns but what about exhaust temperature? Infrared sensors could detect and heat seeking air to air missiles could lock onto the aircraft.

But BAE Systems may consider certain features unneeded or to costly for a UAV.

[dglang]

It seems that the inlet is set back from the front and at least partially shielded from below. Above may be another story but most of the radar would come from below or near the same level.

It does look from the side a lot like a B2 minus what I mentioned earlier and I wouldn't be surprised that our Allies would anlo incorporate some of our internal designs along with the external features.

The aircraft's shape alone is stealthy like the B2 and there does seem to be some rear shielding below and behind the engine. The aircraft most likely is MUCH smaller than a B2 and therefore doesn't need the second engine and therefore the center line engine mounting is most appropriate.

We also don't know how far the engine is recessed from both the front and the back and I am sure there are some unannounced features we are not told about. I would suspect that there would be some cool air mixed in with the exhaust to lower the temp as well.