BAE Systems Detailing UCAV Research Efforts

Source URL: http://www.aviationweek.com/avnow/news/channel_aerospacedaily_story.jsp?id=news/BAE02166.xml
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/1134

LONDON -- BAE Systems is beginning to detail previously classified unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) research efforts, including flying a representative low observable air vehicle.

BAE first flew a UCAV demonstrator, dubbed Raven, in late 2003. The low observable design is part of the company's wider work into UCAV technology for the British Defense Ministry.

Two Raven carbon-fiber composite airframes have been built and flown. Test flights of the jet-powered UCAV demonstrator were carried out in Australia at the Woomera Range. Radar cross-section reduction is a key element of the airframe design. The air intake is mounted on top of the fuselage, with control surfaces on the wing aligned with the trailing edge. The airframe is a flying-wing configuration, with no vertical or horizontal tail surfaces.

---

Print this page

Visit Air-Attack.com for more military aviation and defense industry news