About Taranis
Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the Taranis concept aircraft represents the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design.
The Taranis demonstrator is the result of one-and-a-half-million man hours of work by the UK’s leading scientists, aerodynamicists and systems engineers from 250 UK companies.
Controlled by a human operator
The aircraft was designed to demonstrate the UK’s ability to create an unmanned air system which, under the control of a human operator, is capable of undertaking sustained surveillance, marking targets, gathering intelligence, deterring adversaries and carrying out strikes in hostile territory.
Technological advances
The findings from the aircraft’s test flights show that the UK has developed a significant lead in understanding unmanned aircraft which could strike with precision over a long range whilst remaining undetected.
The technological advances made through Taranis will also help the UKMOD and Royal Air Force make decisions on the future mix of manned and unmanned fast jet aircraft and how they will operate together in a safe and effective manner for the UK’s defences.
The story so far
Costing £185 million and funded jointly by the UK MOD and UK industry, the Taranis demonstrator aircraft was formally unveiled in July 2010.
Initial ‘power-up’ or ground testing commenced later in 2010 at BAE Systems’ military aircraft factory in Warton, Lancashire followed by a comprehensive and highly detailed programme of pre-first flight milestones. These included unmanned pilot training, radar cross section measurements, ground station system integration and, in April 2013 taxi trials on the runway at Warton.
Taranis has now undergone a series of succesful flight trials and the team continues to develop the aircrafts capability.
Team Taranis
About the size of a BAE Systems Hawk aircraft - Taranis has been designed and built by BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, the Systems division of GE Aviation (formerly Smiths Aerospace) and QinetiQ working alongside UK MOD military staff and scientists. In addition to prime contracting the project, BAE Systems led on many elements of the Taranis technology demonstrator, including the low observability, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy elements (in partnership with QinetiQ).
In addition to the existing industry partners, the project also works with a significant number of other UK suppliers who provide supporting technology and components.
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BAE Systems and QinetiQ collaborate on autonomous uncrewed air systems
BAE Systems and QinetiQ have signed a framework agreement which will see both parties collaborate in the area of autonomous uncrewed air systems (UAS) and mission management systems. -
Global Combat Air Programme industry partners agree next steps on collaboration to deliver next generation combat aircraft
Defence industry leaders in the UK, Japan and Italy have agreed a trilateral Collaboration Agreement to deliver the concept phase requirements of a next generation combat aircraft for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). -
BAE Systems successfully flight tests next-generation vehicle management computer for the F-35 Lightning II
Flight control technology upgrade maximizes processing power for added mission capabilities and safety enhancements -
PHASA-35® completes first successful stratospheric flight
British engineers have successfully completed a stratospheric flight trial of BAE Systems’ High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) - PHASA-35. -
BAE Systems unveils new research facility to accelerate cutting-edge combat air capability
BAE Systems has launched a new division within its Air Sector called FalconWorks™. It is a new centre for advanced and agile research and development designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and its allies. -
Multi-million pound contract to equip Royal Air Force Typhoons with latest advanced radar capabilities
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded BAE Systems a £870m contract to deliver a new radar to enhance the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon fighter jet fleet and strengthen the aircraft’s control of the airspace whilst providing cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities. -
UK industry reveals advanced technologies for next generation flying combat air demonstrator
Engineers from the UK’s leading combat air industry partners have released more details about work taking place to deliver the UK’s first flying combat air demonstrator for a generation. -
New multi-million pound investment to boost technologies for the UK’s future combat aircraft
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract extension worth £656 million to BAE Systems to progress the concepting and technology of the next generation combat aircraft, known as Tempest in the UK. -
Lockheed Martin and F-35 Joint Program Office sign £147 million contract for F-35 Lightning II fleet support
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) have signed the Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise (LANCE) 23-27 contract to support the United Kingdom’s F-35 fleet. The aircraft support contract is valued at approximately £147M and will ensure and enhance the UK F-35 fleet’s availability and capability to conduct combat missions worldwide.
-
Overview
About Taranis
Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the Taranis concept aircraft represents the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design.
The Taranis demonstrator is the result of one-and-a-half-million man hours of work by the UK’s leading scientists, aerodynamicists and systems engineers from 250 UK companies.
Controlled by a human operator
The aircraft was designed to demonstrate the UK’s ability to create an unmanned air system which, under the control of a human operator, is capable of undertaking sustained surveillance, marking targets, gathering intelligence, deterring adversaries and carrying out strikes in hostile territory.
Technological advances
The findings from the aircraft’s test flights show that the UK has developed a significant lead in understanding unmanned aircraft which could strike with precision over a long range whilst remaining undetected.
The technological advances made through Taranis will also help the UKMOD and Royal Air Force make decisions on the future mix of manned and unmanned fast jet aircraft and how they will operate together in a safe and effective manner for the UK’s defences.
The story so far
Costing £185 million and funded jointly by the UK MOD and UK industry, the Taranis demonstrator aircraft was formally unveiled in July 2010.
Initial ‘power-up’ or ground testing commenced later in 2010 at BAE Systems’ military aircraft factory in Warton, Lancashire followed by a comprehensive and highly detailed programme of pre-first flight milestones. These included unmanned pilot training, radar cross section measurements, ground station system integration and, in April 2013 taxi trials on the runway at Warton.
Taranis has now undergone a series of succesful flight trials and the team continues to develop the aircrafts capability.
Team Taranis
About the size of a BAE Systems Hawk aircraft - Taranis has been designed and built by BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, the Systems division of GE Aviation (formerly Smiths Aerospace) and QinetiQ working alongside UK MOD military staff and scientists. In addition to prime contracting the project, BAE Systems led on many elements of the Taranis technology demonstrator, including the low observability, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy elements (in partnership with QinetiQ).
In addition to the existing industry partners, the project also works with a significant number of other UK suppliers who provide supporting technology and components.
-
Downloads
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News
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BAE Systems and QinetiQ collaborate on autonomous uncrewed air systems
BAE Systems and QinetiQ have signed a framework agreement which will see both parties collaborate in the area of autonomous uncrewed air systems (UAS) and mission management systems. -
Global Combat Air Programme industry partners agree next steps on collaboration to deliver next generation combat aircraft
Defence industry leaders in the UK, Japan and Italy have agreed a trilateral Collaboration Agreement to deliver the concept phase requirements of a next generation combat aircraft for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). -
BAE Systems successfully flight tests next-generation vehicle management computer for the F-35 Lightning II
Flight control technology upgrade maximizes processing power for added mission capabilities and safety enhancements -
PHASA-35® completes first successful stratospheric flight
British engineers have successfully completed a stratospheric flight trial of BAE Systems’ High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) - PHASA-35. -
BAE Systems unveils new research facility to accelerate cutting-edge combat air capability
BAE Systems has launched a new division within its Air Sector called FalconWorks™. It is a new centre for advanced and agile research and development designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and its allies. -
Multi-million pound contract to equip Royal Air Force Typhoons with latest advanced radar capabilities
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded BAE Systems a £870m contract to deliver a new radar to enhance the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Typhoon fighter jet fleet and strengthen the aircraft’s control of the airspace whilst providing cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities. -
UK industry reveals advanced technologies for next generation flying combat air demonstrator
Engineers from the UK’s leading combat air industry partners have released more details about work taking place to deliver the UK’s first flying combat air demonstrator for a generation. -
New multi-million pound investment to boost technologies for the UK’s future combat aircraft
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract extension worth £656 million to BAE Systems to progress the concepting and technology of the next generation combat aircraft, known as Tempest in the UK. -
Lockheed Martin and F-35 Joint Program Office sign £147 million contract for F-35 Lightning II fleet support
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) have signed the Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise (LANCE) 23-27 contract to support the United Kingdom’s F-35 fleet. The aircraft support contract is valued at approximately £147M and will ensure and enhance the UK F-35 fleet’s availability and capability to conduct combat missions worldwide.
-