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Posted on: Feb. 16th, 2006 || www.aviationweek.com

LONDON -- BAE Systems is beginning to detail previously classified unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) research efforts, including flying a representative low observable air vehicle.

BAE first flew a UCAV demonstrator, dubbed Raven, in late 2003. The low observable design is part of the company's wider work into UCAV technology for the British Defense Ministry.

Two Raven carbon-fiber composite airframes have been built and flown. Test flights of the jet-powered UCAV demonstrator were carried out in Australia at the Woomera Range. Radar cross-section reduction is a key element of the airframe design. The air intake is mounted on top of the fuselage, with control surfaces on the wing aligned with the trailing edge. The airframe is a flying-wing configuration, with no vertical or horizontal tail surfaces.

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