From: Adam <""4thwormcastfromthemolehill\"{at}the field.near
the bridge">

Oh & BTW wrt time frames etc.:

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=24747


Firstly an aside:

"Named after the Celtic God of Thunder, Taranis will explore and
demonstrate how emerging technologies and systems can deliver
battle-winning capabilities for the UK armed forces.

then

"The four-year Taranis project, part of the UK Government’s Strategic
Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experimental) Programme [SUAV(E)], will result in a
UAV with fully integrated autonomous systems and low observable features.
"


Note the use of the word strategic in the following phrase "part of
the UK Government’s Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experimental) Programme
[SUAV(E)]"

Note too the use of "part of".

Note how many "test flights" & indeed "programmes"
have been completed:

"Mark Kane, managing director of Autonomous Systems & Future
Capability (Air) for BAE Systems, said: “Taranis will make use of at least
10 years of research and development into low observables, systems
integration, control infrastructure and full autonomy. It follows the
completion of risk reduction activities to ensure the mix of technologies,
materials and systems used are robust enough for the ‘next logical step’.
These risk reduction activities include the Replica* programme, jointly
funded with the MoD and the MoD funded ‘Nightjar**’ programme.

He added: “Taranis will build on and use the technologies and systems
trialled in the previous demonstrators we have produced such as Kestrel,
Corax, Raven*** and HERTI. It is an important part of our future.”"


Replica* programme, ‘Nightjar**’ programme, Kestrel, Corax, Raven*** and HERTI.


Oh & in case you thought you were all alone in the world of stealth etc:

"*The Replica programme had the objective of supporting the
development of a UK capability to provide a survivable, affordable and
supportable air platform to meet perceived Royal Air Force and Royal Navy
requirements beyond current programmes. Replica resulted in the production
of a full scale Model of a radar signature controlled aircraft
configuration, with key features representative of a flying integrated
weapon system, which was then taken through a rigorous test programme. A
key aim of the Replica programme was to demonstrate Low Observable (LO)
technologies in a low cost design and production environment, using
paperless aircraft processes.

**The Nightjar programme is an example of the technology programmes
which are being exploited in this programme. The programme has played a
crucial part in increasing the UK’s knowledge and understanding of how to
design and manufacture future air vehicles. The aim of the Nightjar
programme was to explore the integration of new airframe features, which
could be critical for the future of air vehicle design. The programme
provided stepped increases in valuable data on issues surrounding design,
aerodynamics, manufacturing and in-service performance limits.

***The Raven programme has already successfully demonstrated some of the
key technologies required for the programme. It was run in the BAE Systems
Advanced Technology Demonstration Centre at Warton during 2003/4 and in ten
months was taken from concept to first flight. The system was targeted at
demonstrating flight control and autonomous system functionality along with
‘rapid prototyping’ techniques and capabilities. ".


Note the final "rapid prototyping" & consider how taking a
man out of the seat allows for more risks to be taken with "rapid
prototyping"

The world of mil tech is on the move at speed. The dreadnoughts are hitting
the water.

& whither the USA?

JSF w/o codes is a dead duck compared to the above (not least in terms of
the smiles on the faces of those in the treasury).

Your F22 is needed coz the late model flankers can kick your eagles into
touch. Cope India. A US - Indian "friendly match" aka exercise.

Eagle vs late model flanker. Result? 9-1 in favour of the Indians.

Think again of the costs. It would be more expensive to put a man into
space than give him a ride in an F22. Why do you need this soft squishy
passenger? The computer already flies the plane, he just gives it
directions.

Directions which can be given via satellite from Florida.

Adam

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5