BAE Systems Mantis

{{Infobox aircraft begin

|name = Mantis

|image = File:BAE Systems Mantis UAS Concept Demonstrator (8350538095).jpg

|caption = Mock up at Farnborough Airshow 2008

}}{{Infobox aircraft type

|type = UAV demonstrator

|manufacturer = BAE Systems Military Air & Information

|designer =

|first flight = 21 October 2009

|introduction =

|retired =

|status = Test programme active

|primary user = United Kingdom

|more users =

|produced = 1

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The BAE Systems Mantis Unmanned Autonomous System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator is a British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology. The Mantis is a twin-engine, 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 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, L-3 Wescam, Meggitt and Lola.

Design and development

File:BAE Systems Mantis UAS Concept Demonstrator (8350541513).jpg

File:MantisBoard.JPG

Development of the Mantis started in late 2007, with a mockup 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 operational endurance and is an autonomous vehicle, able to pilot itself and plot its own course, communicating with personnel on the ground regarding its observations.[http://www.popsci.com/technology/gallery/2010-02/gallery-future-drones Mantis, gallery of future drones], Popular Science, March 2010.

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 the Woomera Test Range in South Australia.

In 2013 the Mantis was flight tested in the United Kingdom.[http://www.baesystems.com/article/BAES_057649/mantis-concept-demonstrator-targeted-to-fly-in-the-uk], BAE Systems Newsroom, 9 July 2012. It was used as the basis for the BAE/Dassault Telemos, the development of which was discontinued.{{cite web|url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/paris-air-show/2011-06-19/paris-2011-bae-and-dassault-team-telemos|title=Paris 2011: BAE and Dassault team up for Telemos|date=20 June 2011|work=AIN Online|accessdate=5 January 2013}}

Specifications

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=FlightGlobal,{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bae-hails-mantis-uav-success-nears-taranis-roll-out-343880/ |title= BAE hails Mantis UAV success, nears Taranis roll-out |date= 30 June 2010 }} Rolls-Royce{{cite web|title=Rolls-Royce Model 250-B17F |url=http://www.rolls-royce.com/Images/model250_turboprop_tcm92-14681.pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053224/http://www.rolls-royce.com/Images/model250_turboprop_tcm92-14681.pdf |archivedate=2013-02-17 }}

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L-3 Wescam MX-20
BAE Systems Imagery Collection and Exploitation (ICE) system

}}

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web | title=UK's Mantis UAV demonstrator makes first flights | author=Craig Hoyle |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/13/334804/picture-uks-mantis-uav-demonstrator-makes-first-flights.html | publisher=Flight International | date=13 November 2009 | accessdate=2009-11-14}}

}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/FarnboroughInternationalAirshow2008/Newsroom/autoGen_10861413322.html |title=BAE Systems and UK MOD Announce Mantis UAS Demonstrator Programme |work=www.baesystems.com |date=2008-07-14 |accessdate=2008-07-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917130035/http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/FarnboroughInternationalAirshow2008/Newsroom/autoGen_10861413322.html |archivedate=17 September 2008 }}
{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/osd_story.php?sh=VSDF&i=3625470&c=EUR&s=AIR

|title=BAE To Build Knowledge Base With UAV

|work=DefenseNews

|last=Chuter

|first=Andrew

|date=2008-07-14

|accessdate=2008-07-17

}}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}