Excalibur tactical unmanned combat air vehicle

The Excalibur was a demonstrator air vehicle aimed at developing a new class of tactical unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). Before the project ended, it was intended for reconnaissance, laser designation and precision strike missions. The aircraft was designed to fill the gap between current armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned strike platforms that provide tactical air support.

The Excalibur used a hybrid-turbine electric propulsion system to enable vertical...