BAE Mantis Assembly 'Well Underway'

Final assembly of the first Mantis unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is “well underway,” according to lead developer BAE Systems, which is exhibiting a mockup of the large, twin-engine aircraft at Aero India 2009.

Mantis is a jointly funded program of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and industry to develop an autonomous UAS. It will be a fly-by-wire, all-electric controlled aircraft. The absence of hydraulics will allow the system to be broken down for transport in a C130 Hercules.

Other partners in the first phase of the program include Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, SELEX Galileo and Meggitt.

“Mantis is designed to carry out intelligence gathering at long distances,” stated Andy Wilson, BAE Systems business development director, Autonomous Systems and Future Capability. “It’s a large platform with a wingspan of over 20 meters and it carries a significant payload in terms of sensors and potential weaponry. This phase of the program will demonstrate that we have the capability to meet future operational needs.”

Final assembly of the first aircraft will be followed by a period of ground testing in preparation for the first flight, “which is due to take place over the next few months,” BAE said.