Team Taranis
The Taranis project is a tremendous example of UK Industry and MOD working together and investing together to secure advancements in technology and capability to meet the anticipated future requirements of the armed forces.
A Project Charter was signed between DE&S, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation to work together to design, manufacture, test and fly an experimental 'mission representative' UAV system. With BAE Systems as prime contractor to DE&S, the Team Taranis partners have worked closely with the customer and Industry to develop and demonstrate new technologies on a flying demonstrator.
BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide.
As prime contractor, through its Military Air Solutions business, BAE Systems is providing many elements of the Taranis technology demonstrator, including the low observability, systems integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy elements (in partnership with QinetiQ).
Other BAE Systems companies involved in Taranis include BAE Systems Australia, who supply the flight control computing and BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (INSYTE) which is responsible for the vehicle's control infrastructure and the effective integration and interoperability of Taranis within the UK's operations and battlespace infrastructure. This gives commanders improved situation awareness and the ability to make rapid, informed decisions.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce is the world's number two defence aero engine company with 160 customers in 103 countries. The company offers engines in all key defence market sectors and is well positioned on a number of new programmes that will deliver products over the next decade and beyond.
Participation in the Taranis programme has enabled Rolls-Royce to demonstrate its world class capability in the field of Unmanned Air Vehicle propulsion systems. In addition to the supply of the core engine for Taranis, Rolls-Royce has been involved in the integration of innovative and class-leading low observable technologies to meet the airframe requirements.
Rolls-Royce has now completed the design, analysis and rig testing of the new propulsion system hardware and, with the majority of the components manufactured, is now focussing on the instrumentation and assembly phases with bench testing to be completed by the end of the year.
QinetiQ
QinetiQ, drawing on its core technologies, evaluation facilities and systems is responsible for several of the critical elements of the Taranis programme. These include the high level reasoning software which will contribute to the vehicle's autonomous capability, enabling the airframe to perform its mission in an optimal fashion, while taking into account uncertainty and unplanned external events. QinetiQ's provision and integration of the communications sub-system and associated antennas is equally important as this enables robust communications between the platform and the ground station without compromising its covert design specifications. And finally the test range flight safety sub-system provided by QinetiQ underpins the safety case for the aircraft during the test and evaluation phases of the project.
Recently QinetiQ has also provided input on the development of the stealth capabilities and coatings and, during the upcoming phases of the programme, will provide support to the stealth measurement team including during the flight trials.
GE Aviation
GE Aviation is wholly responsible for the demonstrator's electrical power system; which employs well-proven products and technologies the company has employed on a number of military and civil platforms.
Aircraft 'power on' took place in February 2009. Since then a variety of sub-system electrical power tests have been conducted; all of which have to date proven the robustness of the architecture and the availability of 'power headroom' for future developments and tests.
GE Aviation was also responsible for the provision of a 'smart' fuel gauging system, a number of hydraulic components and two remote electronic units which are used for controlling brakes and nose-wheel steering.
Other Suppliers
The Taranis Technology Demonstration Programme involves over 100 suppliers, the majority of which are UK based, the suppliers have delivered a spectrum of equipment from off the shelf components to bespoke development and production. Through an integrated approach to design and manufacture many suppliers have completed a process of qualification to certify new equipment or technology for flight.
