Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 15, 2008 - (Page 107) FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 Mantis is to provide autonomous aircraft capability while helping adapt procurement system to changing times. BAE Systems, MoD Launch Mantis Unmanned Autonomous System BAE Systems and the UK Ministry of Defence yesterday signed a jointly-funded, first-phase Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program to develop an Unmanned Autonomous System (UAS) that will help shape technology development for the UK’s future UAS capability. The new platform, called Mantis (multispectral, adaptive, networked, tactical imaging system), will be used to evaluate and test persistent, autonomous Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) as well as unmanned ground attack capabilities. The current development phase includes an industry team headed by BAE Systems, including Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, Selex Galileo and Meggitt. The Mantis program benefits from earlier investment made by BAE Systems and MoD in unmanned systems, particularly in flight autonomy. According to BAE Systems, the twin-engine Mantis platform and associated ground control infrastructure is already underway, with ground testing planned for later this year and a first flight early in 2009. The aircraft will be able to carry up to six Paveway bombs or Brimstone missiles, in addition to two Electrooptical (EO) payloads and Synthetic Aperture Radar. It will be capable of operBAE’s Mark Kane and MoD’s Simon Bollom. ations extending over 24 hours. Although BAE Systems tis will provide indicators of how we did not elaborate on specific per- can improve the acquisition process formance, it is assumed that the to deliver capability swiftly into Mantis is designed for medium- changing military environments,” altitude operations, supporting said Air Vice Marshal Simon Bollom, warfighters through a range of Dir. General Combat Air. “We direct support roles, including per- expect to see positive early resistent ISR and attack of “short- sults before deciding about further investments in a longer term prolived,” time-critical targets. “The rapid development of Man- gram,” he cautioned. — Tamir Eshel Pratt & Whitney Grabs European F-16 Engine Work Pratt & Whitney has acquired the military maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business of Techspace Aero of Liege, Belgium, in a stockswap/partial de-merger arrangement with majority shareholder Safran Group. The deal, announced July 14 at Farnborough, positions P&W as a dominant provider of engine MRO services for Europe’s F-16 operator community, which includes Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark and Norway. “As companies evolve, they tend to focus on their strong areas, and one of our strengths is fighter engine MRO,” says Ed O’Donnell, P&W’s director of international programs, business development, military product line. “It’s a top priority for us.” Prior to the acquisition, P&W owned a 19% share More than 6,500 F100 engines have been produced, 5,500 are in service. of Techspace Aero. The P&W’s F100 fighter engine entered service MRO business will now be known as the Pratt & Whitney Belgium Engine Center. It will in 1974, powering all U.S. F-15s and the majoroffer complete MRO services for the P&W ity of F-15s and F-16s worldwide. Of the more F100-PW-100, -200, -220 and -220E engines, than 6,500 F100s produced, around 5,500 remain in service. as well as key components for the -229 engine. – Paul Richfield www.aviationweek.com/shownews July 15, 2008 107 http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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