BAE to lead major UK UAV study
By Craig HoyleThe UK Ministry of Defence is poised to launch a major project to explore emerging technologies for use across a range of future unmanned air vehicle systems, according to the head of the UK’s leading defence contractor.
BAE Systems had early this year appeared set to secure a contract worth “tens of millions of pounds” to conduct a technology demonstrator project (TDP) to investigate unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) technologies for the MoD, but chief executive Mike Turner says: “There have been discussions over many months and the position has changed. We now expect the MoD to launch a very large sized UAV programme.” This is likely to encompass both unmanned strike platforms and unmanned reconnaissance systems, he says.
Highlighting achievements recorded since 2001 using company funded demonstrators including the UCAV-like Raven, Corax unmanned reconnaissance air vehicle and powered glider-based Herti surveillance platform, Turner says: “The MoD has been very impressed with the work we’ve done. We expect a very large TDP [contract] in the near future.”
BAE released first details of its highly secretive UAV development activities late last year (Flight International, 20 December 2005-2 January). Its announcement coincided with the publication of the MoD’s Defence Industrial Strategy White Paper, which outlined plans to make a decision on the UK’s future mix of manned and unmanned aircraft “in the 2010-15 timeframe”.
Noting that BAE is keen to continue its significant investment of recent years into unmanned systems technologies, Turner says: “We want to offer UAVs to the UK using UK technologies – that’s why we’ve brought in companies like Qinetiq, Rolls-Royce and Smiths.”
The MoD last week confirmed that it is “not far off” entering into an agreement with BAE for a future programme of UAV research activities, but declined to provide additional details. The UK is expected to make a significant investment in unmanned systems under its Project Dabinett intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance programme, which could soon be launched through the purchase of two General Atomics Predator B medium-altitude, long-endurance UAVs (Flight International, 5-11 September).
Speaking at a London press conference to announce BAE’s financial results for the first six months of 2006, Turner also said the company expects to receive a UK production contract for Hawk 128 advanced jet trainers before year-end.
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September 19, 2006 at 6:27 am