Aircraft

Scientists and engineers at BAE Systems have provided an insight into four futuristic technologies that could be incorporated in military and civil aircraft by 2040 or even earlier.

The new technologies include: advanced 3D printers that could print unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during a mission, and aircraft parts that can heal themselves in minutes.

A new type of long-range aircraft divides into a number of smaller aircraft when it reaches its destination, as well as a directed energy weapon that could engage missiles at the speed of light, destroy them and protect the people below.

"It’s great to be able to show the public some concepts that might be possible through projecting where today’s technology could get to."

Experts at BAE Systems’ research and development team at Warton have provided an overview the four futuristic concept aircraft technologies in short animations in YouTube.

The team partners with the UK’s leading aviation thinkers from universities, government and a range of companies to predict and explore how aircraft engineering might evolve.

R&D team, Futurist and Engineering manager Nick Colosimo said: "We don’t know exactly what sorts of aircraft technologies will be used in 2040 with any certainty, but it’s great to be able to show the public some concepts that might be possible through projecting where today’s technology could get to.

Research and development plays a key role in BAE Systems’ defence, aerospace and security business, with the company investing £117m of its own capital in R&D in 2013.

Image: The four futuristic concepts could be incorporated in military and civil aircraft by 2040 or even earlier. Photo: courtesy of Suzanne T.