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Look at the picture above. Pretty cool, huh? This is a screenshot from the latest Ron D. Moore series you're thinking. No, it's a real unmanned combat plane. Who do you think designed it? The US? Maybe the Russians? Conceivably the Chinese? No, this plane - dubbed Taranis after the Celtic god of thunder - was conceived and made right here in Blighty.

Taranis is a prototype unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) that will begin test flights next year. The plane, which was unveiled by the Ministry of Defence yesterday, has been described by Defence Minister Gerald Howarth as a "truly trailblazing project" with "the best of our nation's advanced design and technology.”

Now, although we're not suggesting the invention of a new combat plane is a good thing for world peace, we can't help but feel a little proud that this stunning, trailblazing concept came from UK designers, scientists and engineers. Here in the UK we've been a bit rubbish with selling off our major companies and importing nearly all of our consumer goods from other countries, but one thing we've always been good at is inventing things. Inventing planes in particular.

After all this is the country that produced the majestic Spitfire, the revolutionary jet engine and the gravity defying Harrier Jump Jet. Perhaps the US will want to buy something from us for a change.