BAE Systems Corax

Background

The development of Corax took place during the early-to-mid 2000s, funded by the Ministry of Defence. It performed its first flight during 2004, and at least one test flight involved a fully autonomous mission, including computer-controlled takeoff and landing. Following successful flight tests, BAE Systems received a follow-on contract to investigate UAV safety. The existence of Corax was revealed to the public in December 2005.

Corax has been described as a highly survivable strategic UAV platform. Its configuration includes a single shrouded above-fuselage jet engine and an extended wing with flight control surfaces. It lacks a conventional tail, which increased aerodynamic performance but made control more challenging. BAE Systems stated that the flight control systems were flexible and modular.

The aircraft's exterior surfaces were speculated to be shaped to evade radar detection by reflecting radar away from its source. Aviation author Bill Sweetman noted that Corax resembles larger aerial surveillance aircraft and appeared designed for high-altitude, relatively slow flight. Unlike the BAE Systems HERTI UAV, which was marketed for both civil and military opportunities, Corax was intended specifically for defence purposes.