Named Taranis after the Celtic god of thunder, the aircraft was a the result of one-and-a-half-million man hours of work by the UK's leading scientists, aerodynamicists and systems engineers from 250 British companies.
BAE Systems and the UK ministry of defence said, "Taranis - the stealthy unmanned combat vehicle demonstrator and the most advanced aircraft ever built by British engineers surpassed all expectations during its first flight trials last year."
First unveiled in 2010, it made its maiden flight at an undisclosed test range and "surpassed all expectations". Experts say Taranis can avoid detection by radar and will eventually fly faster than the speed of sound.
The aircraft has been designed to demonstrate the UK's ability to create an unmanned air system which under the control of a human operator is capable of undertaking sustained surveillance, marking targets, gathering intelligence, deterring adversaries and carrying out strikes in hostile territory.
The demonstrator aircraft made a perfect take-off, rotation, 'climb-out' and landing on its 15 minute first flight.
A number of flights took place last year, of up to one hour in duration and at a variety of altitudes and speeds.
Costing £185 million and funded jointly by the ministry of defence and industry, the demonstrator aircraft was formally unveiled in July 2010 but only a small number of scientists and engineers were given full access to it.
Philip Dunne, minister for defence equipment said, "Taranis is providing vital insights that will help shape future capabilities for our armed forces. Its advanced technology is testament to the UK's world leading engineering skills that keep Britain at the cutting edge of defence."
Nigel Whitehead from BAE Systems said, "The first flight of Taranis represents a major landmark for UK aviation. The demonstrator is the most advanced air system ever conceived, designed and built in the UK. It truly represents an evolution of everything that has come before it."
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