BAE unveils futuristic unmanned fighter jet

A PROTOTYPE unmanned combat aircraft was unveiled by the Ministry of Defence in Lancashire yesterday.

The futuristic Taranis, named after the Celtic god of thunder, will be used to test the possibility of producing the first unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) that would be capable of striking long range targets – even in other continents.

Speaking at the ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, near Preston, minister for international security strategy Gerald Howarth said: “Taranis is a truly trailblazing project. The first of its kind in the UK, it reflects the best of our nation’s advanced design and technology skills and is a leading programme on the global stage.”

Taranis is an informal partnership of the MoD and manufacturers BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation. Flight trials are due to begin next year.

Nigel Whitehead, group managing director of BAE Systems’ programmes and support business, said: “Taranis has been three-and-a-half years in the making and is the product of more than a million man-hours. It represents a significant step forward in this country’s fast-jet capability.

“This technology is key to sustaining a strong industrial base and to maintain the UK’s leading position as a centre for engineering excellence and innovation.”