Warcraft: MoD unveils its stealthy god of thunder

IT MAY look like the stuff of science fiction, but this unmanned jet could be the combat craft of the future.

Named Taranis, after the Celtic god of thunder, the 142.5 million prototype has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence. Dubbed the "pinnacle" of British engineering and aeronautical design, it is the size of a light aircraft and has been equipped with advanced stealth technology, making it virtually undetectable.

Almost invisible to ground radar, it is designed to travel at high-jet speeds and cover massive distances between continents.

The plane is built to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance on enemy territory using onboard sensors.

The combat aircraft has been designed to carry a cache of weapons - including bombs and missiles - giving it a potential long-range strike capability. It can be controlled from anywhere in the world via satellite communications.

Experts say the design is at the forefront of world technology and as advanced as any US development.

Flight trials are due to start next year.