Project Taranis

[Manchester Planner]

Yup, expect more clueless dolts spotting "UFOs" and screaming that the aliens are here and that the government is covering it up. When in reality, probably as has been the case for the last 60 years, it's just another military aircraft they saw. But try telling them that..!!

[WatcherZero]

The triangular sensor collection to me is downright freaky.

Presumably hiding optical, infared and radar sensors. It shows that its a long range strike type (sensors on top to minimise detection) rather than a close support (where sensors would be on the bottom to look down).

[AdmiralAnthony]

I absolutely love this jet and the capabilities it provides the UK defence. It's long range, multi-role and capable of flying off a carrier. Holy shit this is an incredible jump in capability for us. We need these jets as much as we need the two new carriers.

[madjackmcmad]

Originally Posted by AdmiralAnthony

I absolutely love this jet and the capabilities it provides the UK defence. It's long range, multi-role and capable of flying off a carrier. Holy shit this is an incredible jump in capability for us. We need these jets as much as we need the two new carriers.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, this is a demonstator not a production run and there's no indication it will be carrier capable yet.

[livin' hull]

Originally Posted by WatcherZero

The triangular sensor collection to me is downright freaky.

Presumably hiding optical, infared and radar sensors. It shows that its a long range strike type (sensors on top to minimise detection) rather than a close support (where sensors would be on the bottom to look down).

er do you mean the triangular hole on the top ? assumed it was an air intake - with a panel to cover the exact internal details ? (engine on top hides it from groundbased radar/infrared) as per Corax (indeed shape apart from wings/tail (?) ) is very similar... (Boeing X45 had similar air intake)

[hovis]

Yes, It's an air-intake...!!

[Sy]

This looks promising.

[chilliz]

WTF is it and what does it do o.o

looks like batman works for BAE now...

[Lejaad]

lol. It's an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) but only a technology demonstrator so when it's first flown next year it will demonstrate the various technologies such as the shape, weapons systems, flight control systems etc all work and that they work in an integrated system. The data can then be used to improve the design and any errors can be eradicated.

So in short this isn't the final design, just a test aircraft and unfortunately we probably won't hear anymore news for at least a year.

[Manchester Planner]

Still, it's good to know that BAE are in the game. I doubt there will be a British-only programme in the end - there will probably be a multi-nation combat UAV programme, like the Eurofighter, at some point, but with BAE as one of the main partners and much of the UAVs designed & manufactured in the UK. And that's the important thing.

[Sy]

Originally Posted by Manchester Planner

Still, it's good to know that BAE are in the game. I doubt there will be a British-only programme in the end - there will probably be a multi-nation combat UAV programme, like the Eurofighter, at some point, but with BAE as one of the main partners and much of the UAVs designed & manufactured in the UK. And that's the important thing.

There is already a pan-european version being developed called the nEUROn
www.air-attack.com/page/73/nEUROn-UCAV.html

I would prefer if we can go it alone personally... shared projects add cost as the politics complicates it. Note France are leading the project and stumping up half the cash. It's due to fly next year...

[Manchester Planner]

I love these sort of statements..

"If Europe wants to remain at the forefront of post-industrial world.."

Erm, what? How the fuck is a highly advanced, uber-designed, top-end manufactured, military aircraft "post-industrial".. Creating regiments of pikemen is post-industrial. (Or is that strictly pre-industrial? How about a regiment of Simon Jenkins clones? )

Anyway, it will be interesting to see where BAE goes with this. To me it is clearly a statement of "this company can do serious stuff in this area" and so other countries (other than the UK) will take them up in joining any UAV production programme. Perhaps UK + Australia + Mid East + Norway/other wealthy, small nations for instance? Very traditional British market that!

[Sy]

...and the Saudis...

[Manchester Planner]

Originally Posted by Sy

...and the Saudis...

The Saudis love BAE.

Remember the magic triangle: Saudi Arabia pumps oil out of the ground, for nothing, sells it to the UK and US in dollars -> the US prints dollars, for nothing, gets the UK to fight a few wars now and again in return for propping up sterling, wars which keep the Saudi rivals busy -> the UK manufactures vast amounts of high-tech military equipment, uses part of it for its own armed forces, so they can fight alongside the US, and the remainder to sell to Saudi Arabia (which they pay for with the money the UK and US buys oil with)

We get: a propped up currency, oil & gas, a defence industry
the US get: a trusty ally to fight alongside, Saudi Arabia (and its much-needed oil) on-side
the Saudis get: military equipment they can't manufacture, cash (lots of), enemies kept busy

I'll stop there..

[JackSwan]

Originally Posted by Manchester Planner

I love these sort of statements..

"If Europe wants to remain at the forefront of post-industrial world.."

Erm, what? How the fuck is a highly advanced, uber-designed, top-end manufactured, military aircraft "post-industrial".. Creating regiments of pikemen is post-industrial. (Or is that strictly pre-industrial? How about a regiment of Simon Jenkins clones?

i just rolled my eyes and stopped reading at that point, which is a shame considering it was right at the beginning of the article and i'm now none the wiser.

[Manchester Planner]

Originally Posted by JackSwan

i just rolled my eyes and stopped reading at that point

ditto!

[AdmiralAnthony]

Whats the latest on this lovely item? We buying any? I must say it certainly looks a hell of a lot like the US Sentinel drone, the one which was brought down over Iran. Talking of which did the Iranians ever give it back?

[madjackmcmad]

Taranis was a demonstrator, what emerges is probably going to be a joint UK/France effort.

[AdmiralAnthony]

Cool well perhaps when we ditch F35, we'll get a bunch of these instead. And it's about time we did a joint project with the French. Our future SSBN's should probs be with French technology as well, get the same SLBM's and so on, time we moved away from so much dependence on the US.

[alphaxion]

I thought France, Spain and Italy were already working on a joint UCAV project called neuronos or somesuch.

Taranis looks very much like the X-47, I'd say it would end up being a joint American/British project if anything.