Uncrewed combat plane prototypes revealed

"Details of unmanned UK combat planes have emerged following publication of a government defence report.

Aerospace company BAE Systems has revealed limited details of two pilot-less craft – a propeller-powered glider called Herti-1A and a smaller jet-powered craft called Corax.

The projects were revealed following publication of the UK government's Defence Industrial Strategy white paper – a document that outlines the research priorities of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Uncrewed Air Vehicles (UAVs) were developed with MoD funding and, following successful flight tests, BAE Systems was awarded a further contract to investigate UAV safety.

Both the Herti-1A and the Corax were developed to test the technology required for uncrewed military airplanes. In August 2005, a Herti-1A plane performed the first ever completely autonomous uncrewed flight in UK airspace, reaching an altitude of 1500 metres.

The jet-powered Corax had performed several successful flights as early as 2004 – taking off and landing under computer control. The aircraft is curved in a manner than resembles existing "stealth" aircraft. The special shape of such craft is designed to defeat radar detection by reflecting radar away from a radar sensor instead of back at it. Corax also lacks a conventional tail, which should make it more aerodynamic but also more difficult to control."
New Scientist