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Article: FOAS--the UK's other `UAV' programme--loses momentum. (Special report--UK industry: new opportunities).(Future Offensive Air System programme)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Interavia Business & Technology
- Article date:
- July 1, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Aerospace Media Publishing. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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A decade ago, the Future Offensive Air System (FOAS) looked like being the answer to the prayers of a UK industrial base that was, even then, beginning to consider the next big programme after the Eurofighter Typhoon. The Future Offensive Aircraft, as it was in the early 1990s, was earmarked as a replacement for the RAF's Tornado GR4 strike aircraft Early artist's impressions depicted blended, stealthy aircraft designs. These were said to be backed by secret technology demonstration programmes at British Aerospace's Warton plant in Lancashire, part of whose remit was to ensure that the UK built up sufficient expertise to beat its old rival, France, to the lion's share of ...