Systems and engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash has been contracted by the UK MoD to support the development of BAE Systems’ two major Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) programmes, Taranis and Mantis.

Frazer-Nash will be undertaking an Independent Safety Audit of the two programmes with specific focus on the vehicles flight safety critical systems.

Both the Taranis and Mantis form part of the MoD’s drive to introduce long endurance autonomous Unmanned Air Systems as an increasingly important element of the UK’s reconnaissance and strike capabilities. Taranis, set to be the largest UAS yet built in the UK, is planned to undergo its first flight trials in 2010.

In this trials phase Frazer-Nash is providing an independent audit of the demonstrator flight trials safety, as well as independent technical evaluation of the safety critical vehicle systems. 

Commenting on the contract, Martin Soltau, Business Manager at Frazer-Nash said:
“I’m delighted that Frazer-Nash has been selected to support these hugely significant Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle programmes. We have a lot of safety and environmental management experience in Aerial Target and Unmanned Air Systems, which makes us well placed to support the MoD and BAE Systems in these significant programmes.”