UAVs and UCAVs

[EagleOne]

MAY BE THE VIDEO

 

[nandu]

India Begins Global Search for UCAVs

NEW DELHI - India has entered the global market to purchase unmanned combat UAVs (UCAVs) following a request for information sent to defense companies in Europe, Israel, Russia and the United States.

UCAVs will be inducted in the Indian Air Force and used to fight terrorists in northern Jammu and Kashmir bordering Pakistan. The Air Force wants modern UCAVs with twin engines, low infrared signature, stealth features, electronic countermeasures and the ability to link with satellites.

The new UCAVs sought by India would be reusable and operate like combat fighter aircraft. Current drones in the inventory destroy themselves along with the target.

The total life expectancy of the UCAV should be at least 20 years and the drone should have advanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities.

The Defence Ministry is also negotiating purchase of Israeli Harop loitering attack drones. The Harop is a vehicle-launched UAV controlled by a remote operator with a 51-pound warhead and capable of flying more than 1,000 kilometers and loitering for hours.

India is also developing a homemade UAV for use by the Navy.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4696942&c=ASI&s=AIR

 

[EagleOne]

IAF Announces Micro Air Vehicle Requirement

The Indian Air Force has invited information from global vendors towards a potential purchase of (an unspecified number of) micro air vehicles (MAVs). According to the RFI, the MAV needs to weigh no more than 2-kgs with an endurance of anything over 30-minutes. The IAF has stipulated that the MAV needs a VTOL type, with payload requirements including day CCD camera and FLIR. Note: The Army is looking to induct the indigenous DRDO-ideaForge Netra MAV (see photo), made famous by the film 3 Idiots. Also, Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk was recently demonstrated to Indian forces in the forests of Bastar, Chattisgarh for potential use in anti-naxal operations. India's NAL is known to be developing a series of MAVS, but none are known to be VTOL platforms.

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/07/iaf-announces-micro-air-vehicle.html

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_htvjsmtPr...AFc8/pg4ZBwocwrg/s1600/Clipboard02-732490.jpg

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/India_develops_better_UAV_landing_software_999.html

India develops better UAV landing software

Indian scientists the Army Institute of Technology said they developed a software program
that improves landing precision of unmanned aerial vehicles without operator intervention.

AIT said their MATrix LABoratory software program increases landing precision of UAVs by up to 97 percent without the need for an operator with a hand-held remote control.

Software project lead scientist Mahesh Khadtare said the development would greatly circumvent difficulties in the present landing systems of UAVs.

"The landing of the UAV will be controlled by the microprocessor, which will recognize previously collected images of the landing space and accordingly guide the UAV in for landing," he said.

"There will be no additional increase in the equipment to be fitted, except the conversion of MATLAB software into an equivalent assembling program for the UAV."

AIT has been working the national defense laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment, a division of the Defense Research and Development Organization, the country's main armaments development and procurement group.

The next step is to have the software tested on a UAV, AIT said.

Earlier this month DRDO said it had developed a UAV called Netra specifically to aid anti-terror and counter-insurgency operations.

Netra will be inducted into the armed forces by the end of the year, DRDO said, and could help security forces in situations such as the November 2008 terrorist attacks in central Mumbai that left more than 100 people dead.

The 3.5-pound Netra is a collaborative project between ideaForge, a company formed by a group from the Indian Institute of Technology and Defense Research and Development Organization's Pune labs, Research and Development Establishment Engineers in Pune.

DRDO scientist Alok Mukherjee, who demonstrated the UAV in Pune, said Netra is undergoing trials.

"The UAV is capable of operating in all conflict theaters, including urban quarters, in a situation similar to that of the 26/11 terror attacks," he said.

The cost of a Netra would be the equivalent of nearly $43,000 and comes with a resolution charge coupled device image sensor camera with a pan-tilt and zoom to facilitate wider surveillance.

But the price would vary depending on what surveillance components are fitted, Mukherjee said. The unit price would jump if a thermal-imaging camera for night operations were added, as would be in the case of India's security agencies who are interested in the UAV.

IdeaForge Vice President of Marketing for UAVs Amardeep Singh said Netra can carry out surveillance in an area of just less than 1 mile line-of-sight and operate for up to 30 minutes on a single battery charge. A fail-safe feature notifies Netra to return to base on loss of communication or a low battery.

Netra has a vertical take-off and landing capacity and a maximum operational altitude of nearly 660 feet.

Singh acknowledged that Netra can't operate in rainy conditions but research is being done to ensure it will function even during a monsoon downpour.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Euro_Hawk_UAS_Completes_Successful_First_Flight_999.html

Euro Hawk UAS Completes Successful First Flight

The Euro Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS), built by Northrop Grumman and EADS Defence and Security
, successfully completed its first flight June 29.

The high-flying aircraft took off at approximately 10:32 a.m. PDT from Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif., manufacturing facility and climbed to 32,000 feet over Palmdale's desert skies before landing nearly two hours later at 12:24 p.m. PDT at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

"The Euro Hawk marks the first international configuration of the RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAS, and strengthens Northrop Grumman's first trans-Atlantic cooperation with Germany and EADS Defence and Security," said Duke Dufresne, sector vice president and general manager of the Strike and Surveillance Systems Division for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.

"This is a wonderful start for the Euro Hawk's flight test program, and a great testament to the Northrop Grumman and EADS Defence and Security team who worked diligently to make it happen."

Based on the Block 20 Global Hawk, Euro Hawk will be equipped with a new signals intelligence (SIGINT) mission system developed by EADS Defence and Security, providing standoff capability to detect electronic and communications emitters.

A ground station consisting of a mission control and launch and recovery elements will be provided by Northrop Grumman. EADS Defence and Security will also provide a SIGINT ground station, which will receive and analyze the data from Euro Hawk as part of an integrated system solution.

"It is a day of great pride for all the teams involved, as the first Euro Hawk takes to the skies, marking a significant step in this demonstration of well-shared trust and efficiency," said Nicolas Chamussy, senior vice president of Mission Air Systems for EADS Defence and Security.

The German Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded a contract in January 2007 to EuroHawk GmbH for the development, test and support of the Euro Hawk SIGINT surveillance and reconnaissance system. Under this contract, EuroHawk GmbH will also provide aircraft modifications, mission control and launch and recovery ground segments, flight test and logistics support.

"Formed as a 50-50 joint venture company by Northrop Grumman and EADS Defence and Security, EuroHawk GmbH acts as the national prime contractor for the German MoD throughout the lifecycle of the Euro Hawk system," said Neset Tuekenmez, chief executive officer of the EuroHawk GmbH.

"This partnership is an excellent example in international relations for both companies, ensuring Euro Hawk is a continued success story in the history of trans-Atlantic cooperation."

With a wingspan larger than a commercial airliner, endurance of 30 hours and a maximum altitude of more than 60,000 feet, Euro Hawk is an interoperable, modular and cost-effective replacement to the aging fleet of manned Breguet Atlantic aircraft, which have been in service since 1972 and will be retired in 2010.

Subsequent systems are anticipated for delivery between 2016 and 2017 following successful testing and introduction in German operational service

 

[EagleOne]

India canvasses global suppliers for stealthy UCAV
By Stephen Trimble

http://www.flightglobal.com/article...asses-global-suppliers-for-stealthy-ucav.html

The unexpected tender is likely to draw bids from across India's various weapon systems suppliers, which include the arms industries of France, Israel, Italy, Russia, the UK and the USA.

Several UCAV demonstrators are in development around the world. Current options include the Boeing Phantom Ray, Dassault-led Neuron, EADS Barracuda, General Atomics Predator C/Avenger, Northrop Grumman X-47B and the RSK MiG Skat.

Israel has previously supplied unmanned air systems to India, but so far has not revealed any designs for a stealth UCAV with an internal weapons bay.

 

[hcm1955]

Lighthouse DEV and University of Maryland working on laser power UAV

Lighthouse DEV with the University of Maryland is working on a laser based powerbeaming UAV. To see a live test do a youtube search "NSS SPACE ELEVATOR HOT!" For Lighthouse's website google search on" Lighthouse Powerbeaming" Cheers, Bert Murray

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4696942&c=ASI&s=AIR

India Begins Global Search for UCAVs
NEW DELHI - India has entered the global market to purchase unmanned combat UAVs (UCAVs) following a request for information sent to defense companies in Europe, Israel, Russia and the United States.

UCAVs will be inducted in the Indian Air Force and used to fight terrorists in northern Jammu and Kashmir bordering Pakistan. The Air Force wants modern UCAVs with twin engines, low infrared signature, stealth features, electronic countermeasures and the ability to link with satellites.

The new UCAVs sought by India would be reusable and operate like combat fighter aircraft. Current drones in the inventory destroy themselves along with the target.

The total life expectancy of the UCAV should be at least 20 years and the drone should have advanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities.

The Defence Ministry is also negotiating purchase of Israeli Harop loitering attack drones. The Harop is a vehicle-launched UAV controlled by a remote operator with a 51-pound warhead and capable of flying more than 1,000 kilometers and loitering for hours.

India is also developing a homemade UAV for use by the Navy.

 

[Yatharth Singh]

Netra to be inducted soon


PUNE: The unmanned aerial vehicle, Netra, jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and a group of former Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) students, is expected to be inducted into the security services by the end of this year.

A demonstration of the UAV was held during the concluding ceremony of the five-day long digital image processing technology seminar organised by the Army Institute of Technology (AIT).

"The vehicle can be used for surveillance in different terrains, including jungles, plains, mountains and deserts," said Alok Mukherjee, a scientist at the Research and Development Engineers, DRDO, who is associated with the project. ". We have planned to make it available only to the government and not to private parties."

"Some tests on the vehicles have been carried out. The remaining tests will be carried out in six months. After that it is expected to get inducted into the security forces," Mukherjee said, adding, "Both the defence minister as well chief home secretary have shown interest in this vehicle."

According to Ashish Bhat, an IITian, the vehicle can cover a distance of up to 1.5 km from the point where the controlling system has been set up. It can capture images from nearly 200 metres from ground level. Real time transmission of images and videos to the control point is also possible. The vehicle is compatible with thermal imaging cameras for night-time use.

"The Netra can give live videos of the area it is surveying. It can also hover at one place; other vehicles keep travelling while surveying an area," said Amardeep Singh, another IITian. Singh said that vehicle tests during heavy rains are yet to be conducted. Efforts are also being taken to convert it into a backpack system, making it easier to carry for soldiers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6121796.cms?prtpage=1

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/MALE_Surveillance_Drone_Completes_Fourth_Series_Of_Tests_999.html

MALE Surveillance Drone Completes Fourth Series Of Tests

The Patroller medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone built by Sagem (Safran group) has successfully completed its latest series of tests, validating overall system operation.

Carried out at the Istres air base in southwest France from May 26 to July 2, 2010, these tests included ten qualification flights in manned operational mode, and five flights in drone mode, without a pilot.

For this latest series of tests, Sagem deployed a Patroller system comprising an aircraft and a ground control station. There were also two control rooms to monitor all flight and mission parameters in real time, one at Safran's premises in Istres, and the other in Sagem's R and D center in Eragny.

The latest drone flight tests were used to validate the performance of the aircraft's triplex avionics equipment, which gives it outstanding reliability, and its imaging system, comprising a Euroflir gyrostabilized optronics pod from Sagem, and a Ku-bank link.

Tests proved the drone's expected endurance, exceeding 30 hours, flight parameters in line with expectations, excellent tolerance for crosswinds on the ground, and its ability to integrate air traffic around the base.

Not only do these results confirm Patroller's ability to carry out demonstration flights starting this summer, they also show Sagem's ability to deliver a fully operational Patroller system to a launch customer within 12 to 18 months.

Patroller is a 1-ton class MALE drone system, based on an aircraft certified to EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) standards, the S-15 built by German firm Stemme. It incorporates technologies
developed by Sagem for its own Sperwer Mk.II tactical drones, as well as combat experience logged by Sperwer/SDTI drones in Afghanistan.

Patroller is designed to meet the long-endurance surveillance mission requirements of both armed forces and joint-ministerial programs, while keeping costs under control.

Because of its modular design, it can be fitted with pod-mounted satellite links and payloads to carry out missions lasting 20 to 30 hours at a maximum altitude of 25,000 ft.

 

[EagleOne]

New Taranis combat aircraft thunders into view

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the concept demonstrator will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous, stealth Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) that would ultimately be capable of precisely striking targets at long range, even in another continent.

Should such systems enter into service, they will at all times be under the control of highly trained military crews on the ground

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, 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."
Representing the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design, Taranis is an informal partnership of the MOD and industry talents including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

Speaking on behalf of the industry team, 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."
The Taranis prototype will provide the MOD with critical knowledge on the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems. Flight trials are due in 2011

 

[EagleOne]

Cutaway & technical description: Defying convention - Boeing A160 Hummingbird

for more info
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/07/12/344075/farnborough-cutaway.html

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Unmanned_Phantom_Eye_Demonstrator_Unveiled_999.html

Unmanned Phantom Eye Demonstrator Unveiled

The Boeing Company has unveiled the hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye unmanned airborne system, a demonstrator that will stay aloft at 65,000 feet for up to four days.

"Phantom Eye is the first of its kind and could open up a whole new market in collecting data and communications," Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, said at the unveiling ceremony in St. Louis.

"It is a perfect example of turning an idea into a reality. It defines our rapid prototyping efforts and will demonstrate the art-of-the-possible when it comes to persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The capabilities inherent in Phantom Eye's design will offer game-changing opportunities for our military, civil and commercial customers."

Later this summer, Phantom Eye will be shipped to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to begin a series of ground and taxi tests in preparation for its first flight in early 2011. That debut flight is expected to last between four and eight hours.

"The program is moving quickly, and it's exciting to be part of such a unique aircraft," said Drew Mallow, Phantom Eye program manager for Boeing. "The hydrogen propulsion system will be the key to Phantom Eye's success. It is very efficient and offers great fuel economy, and its only byproduct is water, so it's also a 'green' aircraft."

Phantom Eye is powered by two 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engines that provide 150 horsepower each. It has a 150-foot wingspan, will cruise at approximately 150 knots and can carry up to a 450-pound payload.

Key Phantom Eye suppliers and partners include Ford Motor Company (engines); Aurora Flight Sciences (wing); Mahle Powertrain (propulsion controls); Ball Aerospace (fuel tanks); Turbosolutions Engineering (turbochargers); the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; and NASA.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/India_eyeing_UCAVs_in_global_market_999.html

India eyeing UCAVs in global market

Indian armed forces have entered the global market in search of stealthy, unmanned combat air vehicles.
Local news reports suggest that the military authorities have requested information from defense companies in Europe, Israel, the United States and Russia about the aircraft.

Defense News reported that the information request concerned unmanned combat air vehicles with "low radar cross-section, high service ceiling and an expected range of 500 nautical miles."

It said the Indian armed forces also wanted the aircraft to "carry precision guided weapons in an internal weapons bay." Experts argue that precision guided weapons minimize collateral damage while maximizing the destruction of a target, on the other.

In the latest issue of India Strategic magazine, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi said the Indian armed forces had "completed" its planned induction of unmanned aerial vehicles required for surveillance and was moving toward the armed unmanned vehicles for offensive roles.

"We do not have them yet but in due course we need to acquire them due to the emerging symmetric and asymmetric threats," the air chief said in the interview.

He didn't elaborate.

Among the options India is considering are the Boeing Phantom Ray, the Dassault-led Neuron, the EADS Barracuda, General Atomics Predator Avenger, Northrop Grumman X-47B and the RSK MiG Skat.

Bent on bolstering its military might, India announced plans recently to spend up to $30 billion on its military by 2012.

Last month, for example, it introduced a long-range, nuclear-tipped missile into its armed forces unveiling also a defense spending budget spiked by 24 percent since last year.

The moves have Pakistan fretting, with leading officials billing India's drive a "massive militarization."

Since winning independence in 1947, India has fought three wars with Pakistan. Fifteen years later, in engaged in a brief but bitter war over a border dispute that remains unsettled.

In recent months, the United States unveiled plans to provide Pakistan with 12 unmanned spy drones to boost surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities over its border regions.

It is understood that a special team of Indian experts will select the sophisticated aircraft submitted by bidders before they enter field evaluations that will be funded by the manufacturer.

India has previously worked with Israeli manufacturers in supplying the country with drones. Israel though has yet to disclose of any designs for a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle for the Indian air force.

Tyagi has said that the main endeavor of the project would be to achieve regional air dominance.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-20010294-76.html

Boeing taps hydrogen for Phantom Eye UAV

Boeing on Monday unveiled a potential new eye in the sky, this one powered by hydrogen fuel.

The Phantom Eye, an unmanned aerial vehicle from the company's Phantom Works division, is expected to make its first flight early next year. Boeing is pitching the demonstrator UAV as a "first of its kind" aircraft that "could open up a whole new market in collecting data and communications."

A decade into the 21st century, surveillance drones are nothing new considering the now long-running successes of aircraft such as the Predator and the Global Hawk. What sets the Phantom Eye apart is the hydrogen propulsion system. Although hydrogen has been bandied about for some time as an alternative energy source, it has yet to progress much beyond the novelty stage.

Boeing, understandably, accentuated the positive. "The hydrogen propulsion system will be the key to Phantom Eye's success," Drew Mallow, Phantom Eye program manager, said in a statement. "It is very efficient and offers great fuel economy, and its only byproduct is water, so it's also a 'green' aircraft."

But the propeller-driven Phantom Eye is no muscle plane. It'll have a pair of 150-horsepower, 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engines. Boeing says the UAV, with a 150-foot wingspan, will be able to cruise at about 150 knots and carry a payload of up to 450 pounds.

It is expected to fly at an altitude of 65,000 feet for up to four days. The initial flight in early 2011, however, is expected to last only about four to eight hours. Between now and then it will undergo a series of ground and taxi tests.

At the unveiling Monday, the engines were not mounted on the Phantom Eye. The prototype and its various component will be heading to the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California for final assembly.

Among Boeing's partners on the project is Ford Motor, which is contributing to the engine efforts. The cooperation between Boeing and Ford on hydrogen engines goes back to at least 2007.

Meanwhile, Boeing's Phantom Works has a similarly named but distinct UAV project under way called the Phantom Ray. That flying-wing design, which uses a turbofan engine and is expected to fly at better than 600 miles per hour, is set to make its debut flight in December.

 

[EagleOne]

looks like fat man ....nuclear bomb with wings...

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...to-operate-underwater/articleshow/6164449.cms

Navy hunts for drones to operate underwater

NEW DELHI: With the Indian armed forces inducting a large number of spy drones and "killer" UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) since the 1999 Kargil conflict, the hunt has now been launched for drones to operate underwater as well.

The Navy has invited proposals from both state-owned and private companies to acquire at least 10 AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), which are non-tethered robotic devices driven through water by propulsion systems that are controlled and piloted by onboard computers.

AUVs can be used for MCM (mine counter-measures) operations, oceanographic surveys and specialised mapping, among other tasks. Advanced AUVs can even be deployed to keep under surveillance protected areas like harbours as well as aid in detection of enemy submarines.

"Apart from being manoeuvrable in three dimensions, the AUVs should be able to carry variable payloads such as high-definition sonars and underwater cameras for surveillance and reconnaissance activities of the seabed," said a Navy official.

"Capable of being launched from small vessels with a maximum weight of 1.5-tonne, the AUVs should be able to operate at depths up to 500 metre for 7-8 hours," he added.

The move comes at a time when the Army is also looking for combat drones, or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), drawing lessons from the deadly use of US `Predators' and `Reapers' against the Taliban in the Af-Pak region. Unlike killer UAVs, which hit their targets and perish with their missions, UCAVs are like fighter jets because they return to their bases to re-arm themselves with more missiles for the next mission.

 

[EagleOne]

India Expresses Interest In Fire Scout Sale

India Expresses Interest In Fire Scout Sale
India is planning to issue a letter of request to the U.S government for a U.S. foreign military sale (FMS) of Northrop Grumman's MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff unmanned aerial system (VTUAS).

The Indian government is expected to send a request via the U.S Embassy for FMS clearance, as "the technology is not for release," an Indian navy official says. Northrop has made presentations on the system over the past few years to the Indian navy and army.

With homegrown insurgency a big concern in India, interest has emerged for the Airborne Standoff Minefield Detection System (Astamids), which has been demonstrated on Fire Scout.

"The insurgents lay mines to be remotely triggered four inches below the roads in the Eastern states of India," an army official says. "The algorithms to locate IEDs [improvised explosive devices] through processing Astamids imagery will prove a boon to the paramilitary forces having to cope with this problem."

The sensor's primary function is to detect minefields in support of mobile ground forces in day and night conditions. It uses quad-prism aperture-splitting technology with the aid of an integrated illuminator and target laser rangefinder and designator. The 75-lb. electro-optical infrared/multi-spectral imaging payload can detect surface-emplaced and recently buried patterned mines, as well as randomly scattered mines. The payload also can be expanded to detect obstacles, combat vehicles, camouflaged objects and other combat targets.

With the support of the U.S. Navy, Northrop and its industry partners completed a set of Fire Scout flight demonstrations in the United Arab Emirates on July 14. The demonstrations included numerous takeoffs and landings in hot, windy and sandy conditions in temperatures as high as 47 deg. C (117 degrees F). The VTUAS also conducted various test flights at altitudes up to 3,000 meters (9,800 ft.). These demonstration missions included non-line-of-sight operations that showcased Fire Scout's ability to operate autonomously in remote locations, and its FLIR Systems electro-optical/infrared sensing capabilities used to locate and acquire targets, according to a statement. The flights also demonstrated the vehicle's real-time imagery-transmission capability.

Based on a Schweizer Aircraft commercial helicopter airframe, the Fire Scout incorporates reliable turbine power (160 million flight hours) using standard NATO heavy fuel.

Meanwhile, the Indian government's decision to convert its Alouette III light utility helicopters — known in India as the Chetak helicopter — into UAVs is in abeyance for the moment. A year and a half ago, there was a plan for the Chetak to be fitted with the sensor suite of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Heron UAV and an IAI-developed, bolt-on flight control package.

Chetak has been primarily in service with the Indian air force in training, light transport, casualty evacuation, communications and liaison roles.

we are more leaning towards US dont know what will be the result .....WE dont learn from the past and MOD minister vote for indigenous development and going for FMS or tenders for every thing the sevices require

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gene...s/awx/2010/07/15/awx_07_15_2010_p0-241302.xml

 

[LETHALFORCE]

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Britain_unveils_new_super-drone_999.html

Britain unveils new super-drone

Looking like an object straight out of a science fiction movie, the unmanned military jet Taranis by BAE Systems
sounds in the future of warfare, the British company claims.

It resembles a large steel trapezoid, is around 40 feet long and potentially deadly: Named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis was unveiled by the British Defense Ministry this week.

Nigel Whitehead, a senior official at BAE Systems, the main developer of the new stealth drone, told the Financial Times that the Taranis "is a prelude to the next generation of fighting capability."

The Taranis' main goal is to fly intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions while its ground-based crew is able to control the aircraft from anywhere in the world.

BAE Systems hasn't released information regarding the speed, maximum flying altitude, and flying distance of Taranis -- that's classified. But the company says the drone, which can be armed with missiles as well as bombs, is capable of attacking as far away as "in another continent."

"It will be able to hold an adversary at continuous risk of attack; to penetrate deep inside hostile territory, find a target, facilitate either kinetic or non-kinetic influence upon it, assess the effect achieved and provide intelligence back to commanders," the company writes.

The first flight trials are to take place next year. Right now, the Taranis is maneuvered on the ground to reduce the safety risks linked to testing in the air.

BAE Systems is eager to produce a new product for the quickly growing drone market. Drones are ideally suited to hit targets in remote regions and are frequently used by Western forces to strike against terrorists hiding in the mountainous border region linking Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The company says the drone's fully autonomous intelligent system builds on electronics and control technology proven in other BAE Systems unmanned platforms such as Corax, Raven, Herti and Mantis.

The prototype, designed and built since December 2006 with 1 million hours of work, is valued at more than $200 million. Other companies that have worked on the program include Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

Jointly funded by the British Defense Ministry and the British military industry, the total contract is valued at $220 million.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, British Minister for International Security Strategy Gerald Howarth, called Taranis a "truly trailblazing" project.

"The first of its kind in the U.K., it reflects the best of our nation's advanced design and technology skills and is a leading program on the global stage," he said.