News Review: Mantis takes wing in Australia | ADM Dec 09/Jan 10

The Mantis is a large medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV with twin pusher turboprop engines mounted on rear fuselage sponsons and was displayed in mockup form at the 2009 Avalon Airshow.

BAE is using the Woomera range due to airspace restrictions in the UK and Europe.

"Mantis has gone from concept to flight in just 19 months and the UK MoD, BAE Systems and a number of industry parties have worked together to make this happen," Chris Allam, managing director of the Autonomous Systems & Future Capability business within BAE Systems, said.

The Mantis is designed to be quickly broken down and air transportable to a forward operating location, and will be able to carry a wide range of sensors.

"These trials at the end of this technology demonstration program have successfully demonstrated a number of key factors that have helped build confidence in the feasibility of a UK-derived medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial system," Defence Equipment & Support Director Combat Air, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Bollom, said.

During phase one of the programme, BAE Systems has been working alongside the UK MoD and key industrial parties including:
• Rolls- Royce - integrated propulsion system and engine clearance
• QinetiQ - flight termination system and communication system
• GE Aviation - electrical power system and primary flight control actuation
• Meggitt - Electrical Braking System.
• Selex Galileo - future mission systems and sensor requirements.