BAE Taranis
Encyclopedia
The BAE Systems
Taranis is a British
demonstrator program for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
(UCAV) technology. A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, it is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets. It will furthermore utilise stealth technology
, giving it a low radar
profile, and it will be controllable via satellite link from anywhere on Earth. The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team, or SUAV(E) IPT, is responsible for auditing and overseeing the project. The aircraft, which is intended to demonstrate the viability of unmanned multi-role systems, is named after the Celtic god of thunder
, Taranis
.
, which was announced in December 2005, and specified the need for the UK to maintain its "sovereign" aircraft and UAV/UCAV construction skills.
, and also involves Rolls-Royce
, GE Aviation Systems, QinetiQ
and the Ministry of Defence
(MoD). As the prime contractor, BAE Systems is responsible for the overall program, and also for many of the component technologies, including stealth technology, systems integration and system control infrastructure. BAE Systems and QinetiQ are working closely on all aspects relating to the autonomy of the system.
GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths Aerospace) is responsible for providing Taranis' fuel-gauging and electrical power systems. Rolls-Royce is responsible for the propulsion system and installation; the aircraft is expected to use a Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.951
turbofan
. BAE Systems Australia
is tasked with developing and supplying the flight control computers, having a 5% workshare in the project, while the Integrated Systems Technologies (Insyte) subsidiary of BAE Systems is providing C4ISTAR
support.
BAE Systems stated that "Taranis will make use of at least 10 years of research and development into low observables, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy. It follows the completion of risk-reduction activities to ensure the mix of technologies, materials and systems used are robust enough for the 'next logical step'." These "risk-reduction activities" included related BAE programs, such as Replica
, Nightjar I, Nightjar II, Kestrel, Corax, Raven and HERTI
.
The first steel for the Taranis prototype was cut in September 2007, and assembly began in February 2008. Ground testing started in early 2009. On 9 January 2009, the Ministry of Defence denied that the Taranis had been flying near the site of a damaged wind turbine
, after local people claimed to have seen a UFO.
, Lancashire
, on 12 July 2010. Flight trials were initially expected to begin in 2011, but as of October 2011 the aircraft's first flight has been delayed to 2012.
The prototype has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of about 8000 kilograms (17,637 lb), and is of a similar size to the BAE Hawk
. It mounts two internal weapons bays, and is intended to incorporate "full autonomy", allowing it to operate without human control for a large part of the mission.
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
Taranis is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
demonstrator program for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
An unmanned combat air vehicle or combat drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that is designed to deliver weapons without an onboard pilot. Currently operational UCAVs are under real-time human control, but future version may enable autonomous operation, for example with pre-programmed route and...
(UCAV) technology. A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, it is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets. It will furthermore utilise stealth technology
Stealth technology
Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
, giving it a low radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
profile, and it will be controllable via satellite link from anywhere on Earth. The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) Integrated Project Team, or SUAV(E) IPT, is responsible for auditing and overseeing the project. The aircraft, which is intended to demonstrate the viability of unmanned multi-role systems, is named after the Celtic god of thunder
God of Thunder
God of Thunder is a 2D platform/top-down freeware puzzle game created by Ron Davis and published by Software Creations in 1993. It was previously a shareware product but was released as freeware in 2002 or earlier. The game chronicles the quest of Thor, son of Odin and god of thunder as he tries...
, Taranis
Taranis
In Celtic mythology Taranis was the god of thunder worshipped essentially in Gaul, the British Isles, but also in the Rhineland and Danube regions amongst others, and mentioned, along with Esus and Toutatis as part of a sacred triad, by the Roman poet Lucan in his epic poem Pharsalia as a Celtic...
.
Background
The development of UAVs was a key part of the UK's Defence Industrial StrategyDefence Industrial Strategy
The Defence Industrial Strategy is a United Kingdom government policy which was published as a white paper on 15 December 2005. The purpose of the DIS is stated to be to ensure that the UK armed forces are provided with the equipment they require, on time, and at best value for money. This is...
, which was announced in December 2005, and specified the need for the UK to maintain its "sovereign" aircraft and UAV/UCAV construction skills.
Design and development
The Taranis project is led by BAE SystemsBAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
, and also involves Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce plc
Rolls-Royce Group plc is a global power systems company headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines , and also has major businesses in the marine propulsion and energy sectors. Through its defence-related activities...
, GE Aviation Systems, QinetiQ
QinetiQ
Qinetiq is a British global defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former UK government agency, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency , when it was split up in June 2001...
and the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
(MoD). As the prime contractor, BAE Systems is responsible for the overall program, and also for many of the component technologies, including stealth technology, systems integration and system control infrastructure. BAE Systems and QinetiQ are working closely on all aspects relating to the autonomy of the system.
GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths Aerospace) is responsible for providing Taranis' fuel-gauging and electrical power systems. Rolls-Royce is responsible for the propulsion system and installation; the aircraft is expected to use a Rolls-Royce Adour Mk.951
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour
|-See also:- External links :* * *...
turbofan
Turbofan
The turbofan is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used for aircraft propulsion. A turbofan combines two types of engines, the turbo portion which is a conventional gas turbine engine, and the fan, a propeller-like ducted fan...
. BAE Systems Australia
BAE Systems Australia
BAE Systems Australia, a subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, is the largest defence contractor in Australia. It was formed by the merger of British Aerospace Australia and GEC-Marconi Systems and expanded by the acquisitions of Armor Holdings in 2007 and Tenix Defence in June 2008.-History:BAE Systems'...
is tasked with developing and supplying the flight control computers, having a 5% workshare in the project, while the Integrated Systems Technologies (Insyte) subsidiary of BAE Systems is providing C4ISTAR
C4ISTAR
In military usage, a number of abbreviations in the format C followed by additional letters are used, based on expanded versions of the abbreviation C2 - command and control.C2I stands for command, control, and intelligence....
support.
BAE Systems stated that "Taranis will make use of at least 10 years of research and development into low observables, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy. It follows the completion of risk-reduction activities to ensure the mix of technologies, materials and systems used are robust enough for the 'next logical step'." These "risk-reduction activities" included related BAE programs, such as Replica
BAE Replica
Replica was a design study for a military aircraft with stealth capabilities, developed by BAE Systems. It was associated with the Royal Air Force's now cancelled Future Offensive Air System. The programme is known to have run from 1994 to 1999, and a full size model was built and subjected to a...
, Nightjar I, Nightjar II, Kestrel, Corax, Raven and HERTI
BAE HERTI
The BAE Systems HERTI is an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the British company BAE Systems. HERTI stands for "High Endurance Rapid Technology Insertion" and was developed in Warton, United Kingdom. The HERTI airframe is based on a motor glider designed by Jaroslaw Janowski of J&AS Aero...
.
The first steel for the Taranis prototype was cut in September 2007, and assembly began in February 2008. Ground testing started in early 2009. On 9 January 2009, the Ministry of Defence denied that the Taranis had been flying near the site of a damaged wind turbine
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
, after local people claimed to have seen a UFO.
Prototype
The Taranis prototype, which cost £143 million to develop, was unveiled by BAE Systems at Warton AerodromeWarton Aerodrome
Warton Aerodrome is located near to Warton village on the Fylde in Lancashire, England. The aerodrome is west of Preston, Lancashire, UK.Today the airfield is a major assembly and testing facility of BAE Systems Military Air Solutions....
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, on 12 July 2010. Flight trials were initially expected to begin in 2011, but as of October 2011 the aircraft's first flight has been delayed to 2012.
The prototype has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of about 8000 kilograms (17,637 lb), and is of a similar size to the BAE Hawk
BAE Hawk
The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single-engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft...
. It mounts two internal weapons bays, and is intended to incorporate "full autonomy", allowing it to operate without human control for a large part of the mission.
Specifications
Although the aircraft is still in development phase, the latest specifications which are publicly available are as follows:- Height: 4 metres (13.1 ft)
- Length: 11.35 metres (37.2 ft)
- Wingspan: 9.1 metres (29.9 ft)
- Weight: 8 tonnes (17,637 lb)
- Range: Intercontinental
- Engine thrust: 6,480 lb
See also
- Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom
- Unmanned aerial vehicleUnmanned aerial vehicleAn unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
- Northrop Grumman X-47BNorthrop Grumman X-47B|-See also:-External links:* and * * * * - TFOT magazine**...
- Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel
- List of unmanned aerial vehicles