BAE Systems Future Aviation Concepts

Scientists and engineers at BAE Systems have lifted the lid on some futuristic technologies that could be incorporated in military and civil aircraft of 2040 or even earlier. The Survivor - This technology allows jets to quickly heal themselves from damage sustained in flight. The Transformer - The Transformer is a flexible aircraft system that combines smaller jets for more efficient travel, before having them split apart to quickly adapt to any scenario. On-board 3D Printing - Smaller unmanned aircraft -- or UAVs -- are created by super high-tech on-board 3D printers, via Additive Layer Manufacturing and robotic assembly techniques. The 3D printers respond to data fed to them by a remote control room where a human commander decides what should be produced. Directed Energy Systems - A futuristic attachment weapon for aircraft that is capable of firing a concentrated beam of energy at the speed of light.