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.
