BAE Systems Mantis

Mantis
Mock up of BAE Systems Mantis at Farnborough Airshow 2008
Role	UAV demonstrator
Manufacturer	BAE Systems
First flight	21 November 2009[1]
Status	Test program active
Primary user	United Kingdom
Produced	1

The BAE Systems Mantis Unmanned Autonomous System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator is a British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology. It is the world's first unmanned autonomous aircraft. The Mantis is a twin-engined turboprop-powered UCAV with a wingspan of approximately 22 m, broadly comparable to the MQ-9 Reaper. Other partners involved in Phase 1 of the Mantis programme include the UK Ministry of Defence, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, L3 Wescam, Meggitt and Lola.

Design and development

Description board for Mantis at Farnborough Airshow 2008

Development of the Mantis started in late 2007, a mock-up being revealed at the 2008 Farnborough International Air Show. The Phase 1 Mantis vehicle is powered by two Rolls-Royce Model 250 turboprop engines, although this is likely to change in later variants. The Mantis is intended to have at least 24-hour endurance and is an autonomous vehicle, able to pilot itself and to plot its own course, communicating with personnel on the ground regarding its observations.^[2]

Phase 1 is intended to demonstrate BAE Systems' rapid prototyping capabilities and will focus on the evaluation of autonomous control systems. Later phases may evaluate civilian applications, armed variants and sensor packages.

The large dome on the front, reminiscent of a pilot's canopy, actually contains an upward facing satellite communications system.

The prototype first flew on 21 October 2009 at Woomera Test Range in South Australia.^[1]

Specifications

Data from FlightGlobal,^[3] Rolls-Royce^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: None (UAV)
• Length: 19.8 m (65 ft 0 in)
• Empty weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 9,000 kg (19,842 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls-Royce M250B-17 turboshaft, 280 kW (380 shp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 560 km/h; 350 mph (300 kn)
• Cruise speed: 370 km/h; 230 mph (200 kn)
• Endurance: 30 hours

Armament

• Hardpoints: Six

Avionics

• L3 Wescam MX-20
• BAE Systems Imagery Collection and Exploitation (ICE) system

See also

• Unmanned aerial vehicle
  

Related development

• BAE Corax
• BAE HERTI
• BAE Taranis
• BAE GA22
  

Related lists

• List of unmanned aerial vehicles
  

References

• "BAE Systems and UK MOD Announce Mantis UAS Demonstrator Programme". www.baesystems.com. 2008-07-14. http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/FarnboroughInternationalAirshow2008/Newsroom/autoGen_10861413322.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17. ^{[dead link]}
• Chuter, Andrew (2008-07-14). "BAE To Build Knowledge Base With UAV". DefenseNews. http://www.defensenews.com/osd_story.php?sh=VSDF&i=3625470&c=EUR&s=AIR. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 

External links

Airliners.net photo