Smiths to Develop UAV Simulator

Smiths Aerospace and BAE Systems are developing an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) technology demonstrator project for the UK Ministry of Defense. BAE Systems will be prime contractor of the four-year, $243 million demonstrator program, called Taranis. The project, part of the UK government’s Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experimental) Program, will result in a UAV with fully integrated autonomous systems and low-observable features. Smiths Aerospace will provide the complete electrical power system for Taranis, along with its fuel gauging capability. The companies said the project will provide the Ministry of Defense with “experimental evidence on the potential capabilities of this class of UAV and help to inform decisions on the future mix of manned and unmanned fast jet aircraft.” Ground testing of Taranis is expected to take place in early 2009 with first flight trials taking place in 2010. More