BAE Systems Reveals Unmanned Stealth Jet – Taranis
Defence firm BAE Systems today officially unveiled its first ever high-tech unmanned stealth jet. The Taranis, named after the Celtic god of thunder, is about the same size as a Hawk jet and is equipped with stealth equipment and an ‘autonomous’ artificial intelligence system. The plane will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous stealthy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) that would ultimately be capable of precisely striking targets at long range, even in another continent.
The plane began development in December 2006, and is intended to prove the UK’s ability to produce a stealthy UAV. Taranis will be stealthy, fast, able to carry out use a number of on-board weapons systems and be able to defend itself against manned and other unmanned enemy aircraft. The Taranis prototype will provide knowledge on the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems. Test flights for the Taranis plane are due to start in 2011.
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