Nightjar takes flight
The second and final phase of a six-year joint programme aimed at increasing UK design and manufacturing know-how for next generation aircraft has just been completed.
BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have completed the final phase of a six-year joint programme aimed at increasing
design and manufacturing knowledge for a new generation of aircraft.
According to BAE Systems, the data collected will be central to leading-edge programmes, including the £124m Taranis technology demonstrator programme recently announced as part of the UK Defence Industrial Strategy. BAE Systems is the industry lead and prime contractor of this joint project to develop a stealthy Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV).
The previously classified Nightjar programme began in 2000 and its testbody has been used to test new features, which could be crucial for the future of air vehicle design. The testbody was designed to have a very low radar signature so that technologies fitted on it could be tested without the body itself figuring in the test results.
The Nightjar programme provided valuable data on issues surrounding design, aerodynamics, manufacturing and in-service performance.
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