{{Short description|British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology}} <!-- This article is a part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout. --> {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use British English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = Mantis | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:BAE Systems Mantis UAS Concept Demonstrator (8350538095).jpg | alt = | caption = Mock up at Farnborough Airshow 2008 | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = UAV demonstrator | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = | manufacturer = BAE Systems Military Air & Information | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Test programme active | owners = | primary_user = United Kingdom | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = 1 | introduction = | retired = | first_flight = 21 October 2009<ref name="ff" /> | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}
The '''BAE Systems Mantis''' Unmanned Autonomous System Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator is a British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology. The Mantis is a twin-engine, turboprop-powered UCAV with a wingspan of approximately 22 m, broadly comparable to the MQ-9 Reaper. Other partners involved in Phase 1 of the Mantis programme include the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, L-3 Wescam, Meggitt and Lola.
==Design and development== thumb|side view thumb|upright|Description board for Mantis at Farnborough Airshow 2008
Development of the Mantis started in late 2007, with a mockup being revealed at the 2008 Farnborough International Air Show. The Phase 1 Mantis vehicle is powered by two Rolls-Royce Model 250 turboprop engines, although this is likely to change in later variants. The Mantis is intended to have at least 24-hour operational endurance and is an autonomous vehicle, able to pilot itself and plot its own course, communicating with personnel on the ground regarding its observations.<ref>[http://www.popsci.com/technology/gallery/2010-02/gallery-future-drones Mantis, gallery of future drones], Popular Science, March 2010.</ref>
Phase 1 is intended to demonstrate BAE Systems' rapid prototyping capabilities and will focus on the evaluation of autonomous control systems. Later phases may evaluate civilian applications, armed variants and sensor packages.
The large dome on the front, reminiscent of a pilot's canopy, actually contains an upward facing satellite communications system.
The prototype first flew on 21 October 2009 at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia.<ref name="ff" />
In 2013 the Mantis was flight tested in the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://www.baesystems.com/article/BAES_057649/mantis-concept-demonstrator-targeted-to-fly-in-the-uk], BAE Systems Newsroom, 9 July 2012.</ref> It was used as the basis for the BAE/Dassault Telemos, the development of which was discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/paris-air-show/2011-06-19/paris-2011-bae-and-dassault-team-telemos|title=Paris 2011: BAE and Dassault team up for Telemos|date=20 June 2011|work=AIN Online|accessdate=5 January 2013}}</ref>
==Specifications== {{Aircraft specs |ref=FlightGlobal,<ref name="Flight">{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bae-hails-mantis-uav-success-nears-taranis-roll-out-343880/ |title= BAE hails Mantis UAV success, nears Taranis roll-out |date= 30 June 2010 }}</ref> Rolls-Royce<ref>{{cite web|title=Rolls-Royce Model 250-B17F |url=http://www.rolls-royce.com/Images/model250_turboprop_tcm92-14681.pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053224/http://www.rolls-royce.com/Images/model250_turboprop_tcm92-14681.pdf |archivedate=2013-02-17 }}</ref> |prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=none (UAV) |capacity= |length m=19.8 |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m= |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=1000 |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg=9000 |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general=
|eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=Rolls-Royce M250B-17 |eng1 type=turboprop |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp= |eng1 shp=380 |eng1 note= |power original=
|prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=
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|max speed kmh= |max speed mph= |max speed kts=300 |max speed note= |max speed mach= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts=200 |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph= |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi= |range note= |combat range km= |combat range miles= |combat range nmi= |combat range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range miles= |ferry range nmi= |ferry range note= |endurance=30 hours |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass=
|more performance=
|guns= |bombs= |rockets= |missiles= |hardpoints=Six |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other=
|avionics= * L-3 Wescam MX-20 * BAE Systems Imagery Collection and Exploitation (ICE) system }}
==See also== {{aircontent| |related= *BAE Systems Corax *BAE Systems HERTI *BAE Systems Taranis *BAE Systems GA22 *BAE Systems/Dassault Telemos |similar aircraft= |sequence= |lists= * List of unmanned aerial vehicles |see also= * Unmanned aerial vehicle }}
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="ff">{{cite web | title=UK's Mantis UAV demonstrator makes first flights | author=Craig Hoyle |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/13/334804/picture-uks-mantis-uav-demonstrator-makes-first-flights.html | publisher=Flight International | date=13 November 2009 | accessdate=2009-11-14}}</ref> }}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/FarnboroughInternationalAirshow2008/Newsroom/autoGen_10861413322.html |title=BAE Systems and UK MOD Announce Mantis UAS Demonstrator Programme |work=www.baesystems.com |date=2008-07-14 |accessdate=2008-07-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917130035/http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/FarnboroughInternationalAirshow2008/Newsroom/autoGen_10861413322.html |archivedate=17 September 2008 }} *{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/osd_story.php?sh=VSDF&i=3625470&c=EUR&s=AIR |title=BAE To Build Knowledge Base With UAV |work=DefenseNews |last=Chuter |first=Andrew |date=2008-07-14 |accessdate=2008-07-17 }}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
==External links== {{commons category|BAE Mantis}} * [http://www.airliners.net/photo/BAE-Systems/BAE-Systems-Mantis/1602957/L/ Airliners.net photo]
{{BAE aircraft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bae Mantis}} Category:British Aerospace aircraft Category:2000s British experimental aircraft Category:Unmanned military aircraft of the United Kingdom Category:Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles Category:Airborne military robots Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Twin-turboprop pusher aircraft Category:Unmanned experimental aircraft Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear