Pilotless fighter will fly over UK from 2013 - and robot plane could lead to passenger aircraft with no one at the controls

• Robot fighter is bigger than drone
  
• Can stay airborne for 24 hours with no human on board
• Technology could be used for pilotless passenger aircraft

By Rob Waugh

PUBLISHED: 13:28 GMT, 2 July 2012 | UPDATED: 13:36 GMT, 2 July 2012

Pilotless planes have taken one step closer to reality after BAE systems revealed it will test a new fighter jet next year.

The company is set to win two contracts including one for the Mantis, which can fly on its own for 24 hours with no cockpit and no human on board.

If all goes as planned the artificial intelligence could mean the end of fighter pilots in the UK and bring down the curtain on conventional aircraft like the F-35.

And come 2013 the Mantis will be making its first flight over Britain as it is tested to see if it works.

BAE even claims that the technology could one day be used to pilot commercial jets in a similar way to driverless trains now.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2167695/British-Aero...