UAV / UCAV - Drohnen

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<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2010/07/13/04.xml&headline=U.K.%20Unveils%20Stealthy%20UCAV">http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/ ... thy%20UCAV</a><!-- m -->

U.K. Unveils Stealthy UCAV

The U.K. has rolled out its Taranis unmanned combat air vehicle technology testbed, a major development foray into stealthy unmanned aircraft for the country.

The Taranis was shown for the first time on July 12 to an audience of government officials led by Gerald Howart, the defense minister for international security strategy. Senior military officials also attended the event at the BAE Systems Warton site in northwest England. The contract for the low-observable (LO) demonstrator was announced in December 2006, with the program team led by BAE Systems. Rolls-Royce, Qinetiq and General Electric Aviation also involved.

The original timetable called for first ground trials in early 2009, to be followed by a flight test program in 2010. But integration problems have caused delays. Working on the LO engine intake and duct appear to have been particularly challenging.

The U.K.’s Future Combat Air Capability effort is looking at a UCAV as a potential option to satisfy the demand. But the timing of the introduction into service of such a capability is uncertain, and will likely be dependent on the outcome of the ongoing strategic defense review.........