BAe Systems Taranis Technology Demonstrator / Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) (2018)
The BAe Taranis is an indigenous UK attempt at a reusable and capable UCAV system.
As a completely autonomous UCAV, the Taranis will not only be limited to pre-programmed waypoint following, take-off and landing procedures but it will also have the capability to make its own informed "decisions" inflight (with assumed ground control operator override). In this fashion, the Taranis will become a very flexible tactical system capable of responding to various threats and changing mission parameters all on its own. The scope of the project surely is akin to the dreams of science fiction in decades prior where it was seen that aircraft would one day maintain logic all their own, apart from their human creators. While a very optimistic project end-goal, it is wholly possible with today's ever-evolving technology concerning UAVs/UCAVs.
The BAE Taranis receives its nickname from Taranis, the Celtic God of Thunder and is roughly equivalent in size to the BAE Hawk advanced jet trainer/light strike aircraft. The UCAV will incorporate low-observable stealth characteristics in a well-shaped triangular planform featuring a single embedded turbofan engine aspirated by a triangular intake mounted above the nose of the aircraft. The aircraft will take on a largely basic all-wing design (sans vertical rudders) that is well-contoured and aerodynamically efficient. Munitions will be delivered through an internal weapons bay arrangement fitted underneath the aircraft structure. The Taranis will sport a fully-retractable wheeled tricycle undercarriage as well as several stealth-minded features to help it evade enemy radar (special skin coating, minimal structural protrusions, a specially designed engine exhaust, slim forward, sides and rear profile, etc.). The project - with BAe Systems as the prime contractor - combines the talents of BAe, Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation and QinetiQ with MoD engineers to advanced the Taranis program to its fullest. Funding is secured partly through the MoD while the entire project will be managed by the Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team (SUAV(E) IPT).
Production of the initial Taranis prototype began in 2007 with the prototype first being showcased at Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire in July of 2010. Ground testing of the unit then began in 2010 with first flight expected sometime in late 2012 or early 2013. As the system is designed to date, it sports a wingspan of 30 feet with a running length of 37 feet and ground height of 13 feet. The unit weighs in at 18,000lbs and its Rolls-Royce turbofan engine (possibly the Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.951) has netted an output of 6,480lbs of thrust. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
BAe Systems Taranis
Technology Demonstrator / Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: BAe Systems - UK
Initial Year of Service: 2018
Production: 1
Focus Model: BAe Systems Taranis
Crew: 0
Length: 37.24ft (11.35m)
Width: 29.86ft (9.10m)
Height: 13.12ft (4.00m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 17,637lbs (8,000kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.951 turbofan engine of 6,500lbs thrust.
Maximum Speed: 0mph (0kmh; 0kts)
Maximum Range: 0miles (0km)
Service Ceiling: 0ft (0m; 0.0miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)
Hardpoints: 0
Armament Suite:
Undisclosed at this time. An internal weapons bay is assumed for a pair of laser-guided bombs.
Variants:
Taranis - Project Designation
Operators: United Kingdom (probable)
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