RAF show off 'killer' drone aircraft which will help protect
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RAF show off 'killer' drone aircraft which will help protect major dam in Afghanistan
The RAF has unveiled its latest weapon in the fight to protect the crucial Kajaki dam in southern Afghanistan.
The unmanned Mantis killer ‘drone’ aircraft will guard supply pylons in the area where last week British troops carried out a daring mission to install a 200-ton turbine.
Designed to fly thousands of miles and last up to 30 hours without refuelling, the Mantis – which is the size of a small lorry – will carry Brimstone air-to-ground tank-busting missiles and GBU laser-guided bombs.
The Mantis is designed to fly thousands of miles and last up to 30 hours without refuelling
Unlike its smaller predecessor, the American-built Reaper, the British-made Mantis can take off and fly pre-programmed missions on its own.
The present generation of drones is controlled by a pilot using a joystick at a ground station.
A full-scale model, developed by a consortium that includes BAE Systems, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce and GE Aviation, features ground-scanning radar and lasers, and is due to be tested later this year.
Source: Daily Mail UK, September 7, 2008