http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100713/wl_uk_afp/britaindefenceweapons_20100713094446

"LONDON (AFP) – An unmanned jet capable of striking long-range targets has been dubbed the "combat aircraft of the future" by the Ministry of Defence.

The Taranis -- named after the Celtic god of thunder -- was unveiled at a ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, on Monday.

The £142.5 million prototype is the size of a light aircraft and has been equipped with stealth technology to make it virtually undetectable.

In a press release, the MoD described the Taranis as "a prototype unmanned combat aircraft of the future."

It is built to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions while its crew stays safely on the ground and can control the aircraft from anywhere in the world."

Read the rest in the article.

Great for military, but if they get that in airports, I'll stay in California forever.

I would ride the plane because if something goes wrong, I can be the hero and land the plane safely.  It'll be great!!!

Don't all commercial aircraft actually fly as autopilot anyways? I thought the only things the pilots do is take-off and land.

OT to the actual military aspect of the plane.

Considering this is from UK, expect the US to demonstrate a far more capable drone soon-ish to ensure they keep the perceived air superiority in terms of technology and stealth.

This superiority is the only reason I feel US hasn't demonstrated any super-plane since retiring the stealth fighters. That was really a 1950's technology in the first place. Now we'll see a 1990's or 2000 tech that is far more advanced and far better stealth just to prove the point.

The only reason this might not happen by 2011 would be because this is UK who is a strong ally of US and therefore no need to upstage them.

Just my opinion as someone who has worked with a major military contractor for the last 10 years and actually worked on the Stealth fighter (F-117) including is retirement.

Yes