BAE Systems Taranis
BAE Systems · United Kingdom · first flew 2013 · reconnaissance aircraft
The BAE Systems Taranis is a British unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator designed to explore autonomous strike capability and advanced low-observable technologies. It conducted its first flight in Australia in 2013.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.43 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- British stealthy flying-wing UCAV demonstrator
- All-aspect low-observable tailless delta
- Serpentine inlet hides engine face from radar
A smooth, all-blended flying-wing shape with no vertical tail surfaces, a buried engine with a dorsal serpentine inlet, and a tailless low-observable planform; notably different from angular US stealth aircraft.
Specifications
- The BAE Systems Taranis has a length of 12.43 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Funded by the UK Ministry of Defence and developed by BAE Systems with partners including Rolls-Royce and QinetiQ, Taranis was named after the Celtic god of thunder. The programme demonstrated that the UK could develop a stealthy UCAV with a buried engine and serpentine intake.
Variants
A single demonstrator was built; the programme fed into the broader Tempest and future combat air concepts.
Where you'll see it
A technology demonstrator only — Taranis has not entered production or operational service with the RAF.
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