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APRIL 2015

AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM

z Aft cabin

AT WHAT STAGE IS THE TEST PHASE

OF TARANIS NOW?

We have just completed two phases

of flight testing and are currently

undertaking further ground-based

testing, with plans for a further phase

of flights later this year.

WHAT DATA HAS BEEN COLLATED

FROM THIS PHASE OF TESTS?

We have now completed two phases

of flight trials. The main difference

between the two sets of trials was that in

the second phase, Taranis flew in a fully

‘stealthy’ configuration. The aircraft was

able to gain those vital air data

measurements in a way which did not

Martin Rowe-Willcocks, head of future combat air systems

business development for BAE says that the UCAV Taranis project

has moved UAV development for the UK’s forces rapidly forward

BY CHRISTOPHER HOUNSFIELD

Celtic thunder

impact on its low observable

characteristics. Taranis successfully

used a conformal air data system which

allowed these parameters, along with

others already embedded in the system,

to generate a full set of flight data without

the use of an external probe or boom.

WHAT NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE

THE AIRCRAFT DIFFERENT?

From the outset, Taranis has been

designed to utilize the most advanced

means possible of achieving low

observability. This includes both the

systems and technology inside the aircraft

and the shape, design and finish of the

exterior. It does mean, however, that there

are aspects of the exterior design of the

aircraft which remain classified.

WHAT NEW TECHNOLOGIES HAVE SET

THE TARANIS APART?

Taranis has been developed to

demonstrate the potential of an

unmanned, stealthy combat aircraft

ultimately capable of delivering weapons

to a battlefield, able to undertake

sustained surveillance. It will be able to:

mark targets, gather vital intelligence,

deter an adversary, carry out strikes in

hostile territory, and assess the impact

of any strike.

WHAT PROBLEMS HAVE YOU FACED

IN THE PROGRAM?

Technical demonstrator programs by

their very nature are demanding and

contain risk. Prior to first flight trials,

the system was comprehensively and

extensively ‘flown’ on the ground over

many hours. This thorough and robust

testing activity allowed us to ensure

that the system progressed into its

flight testing phase in a safe and low-

risk manner.

HOW DOES SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

WORK WITH YOUR PARTNERS?

The Taranis project is a tremendous

example of UK industry and MoD

working and investing together to secure

advancements in technology and

capability to meet the anticipated future

requirements of the armed forces. A

project charter was signed by DE&S,

BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and

GE Aviation, whereby they agreed to

work together to design, manufacture,

test and fly an experimental mission

representative UAV system.

DOES THIS PUT THE UK AHEAD WITH

UAV COMBAT DEVELOPMENT?

Taranis is designed to provide the MoD

with critical knowledge on the

technical and manufacturing

challenges and the potential

capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air

Systems. The project aims

to contribute to the understanding of

strategic UCAS, through the

demonstration of relevant technologies

and their integration into a

representative UAV system. Taranis

will provide the UK MoD with

experimental evidence on the potential

capabilities of this class of UAV.

Taranis is being designed to explore

the feasibility of developing the next

generation of unmanned combat

aircraft, suitable for significantly higher

threat environments than the current

generation of UAVs in use today.

WHAT IS NEXT IN THE TEST PHASE?

MoD answer: We will continue to

gather data and complete additional test

points as per the requirements of the

current test program and any future test

or technology de-risking programs

agreed with the MoD or UK Industry. z

for BAE says that the UCAV Taranis project

HOW DOES SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

SPECIFIC ROLES

BAE Systems: Design, final assembly and test, flight

systems, flight control system, ground station, system

performance measurements, integration, qualification

and trials, airframe and aero, comms, intake, sensors

and mission avionics and autonomy

Rolls-Royce: Engine and exhaust systems plus

systems performance measurements

GE Aviation & Triumph Group: Flight systems

QinetiQ: Comms and high-level mission autonomy

Cobham: Comms antennas

APPH: Undercarriage

Claverham: Flight control systems (actuation)

DSTL: System performance measurement, MoD

technical advisors

GE Intelligent Platforms: Mission avionics hardware.