BAE test pilotless planes

The defence and aircraft industries have taken another step towards unmanned flights with BAE Systems carrying out a new series of test flights over the Irish Sea. As part of a consortium that includes other major U.K. engineering companies such as Cobham, Qinetiq and Rolls-Royce, project Astraea is using a Jetstream propeller plane. Although some technicians are on board, the plane will fly autonomously at key points during the flight. The article on the Guardian website, explains the difference between this unmanned air vehicle (UAV) and ‘drones’ used in Afghanistan. ‘Drones…are flown remotely by pilots on the ground. Instead the prototypes will follow a set of programmed instructions…they could fly difficult missions autonomously for days at a time.’ These steps towards unmanned flights pose both technical and legal questions, particularly when used in a military context. Read the debate in the article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/may/07/pilotless-planes-test-flights-astraea