Qinetiq will demonstrate MoD-funded programme in 2007
UK defence technology company Qinetiq plans to demonstrate unmanned air vehicle control from a fast combat jet early next year, using its Panavia Tornado integrated avionics research aircraft to command real and simulated UAVs.
The tests to demonstrate control of multiple UAVs from a fast jet will follow a trial in October using a remotely piloted BAC One-Eleven 500, from the UK's Boscombe Down airfield. The flight took place in uncontrolled airspace over south-west England, with an operator stationed in the rear cabin controlling the aircraft as if it were a UAV carrying out a mock attack on a moving ground target.
The One-Eleven flightcrew remained in the cockpit throughout the demonstration as a safety measure. The crew also carried out the take-off and landing.
"The success is an important step in proving that complex autonomous decision-making technologies are ready to move from a simulated world to realistic flight conditions," says Qinetiq's defence and technology sector group managing director, Andrew Sleigh.
The research is being funded by the UK Ministry of Defence. Qinetiq also sees the ability to direct multiple UAVs as beneficial for disaster relief and environmental monitoring.
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The BAC One-Eleven was remotely directed from the cabin |
Source: Flight International
