Cutting-Edge Aircraft Of The Future Revealed

[ETRJ]

Scientists and engineers at BAE Systems have unveiled some of the cutting-edge technologies that could be commonplace on civil and military aircraft by 2040.

They include 3D printers that are so advanced they can print drones during a mission, aircraft parts that can heal themselves, a long-range aircraft which divides into several smaller aircraft when it reaches its destination, and a weapon that could engage and destroy missiles at the speed of light.

The examples are among the concepts currently being looked at by BAE's research team, which had a budget of £117m in 2013.

Nick Colosimo, from the research and development team, said: "Of course 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."

On-board 3D printing would see designs fed to them by a remote control room where a human commander decides what should be produced during a mission.

The firm also showed-off a flexible aircraft system which combines smaller jets for efficient air travel, before they split apart at the destination to adapt to various scenarios - such as surveillance or combat.

The energy-beam weapon is called a director energy system. It is a futuristic attachment weapon for aircraft that is capable of firing a concentrated beam of energy at the speed of light.

They are already in use on battlefields to protect ground troops from incoming projectiles such as missiles or mortars.

BAE also detailed how aircraft could one day heal themselves from damage sustained in flight.

A lightweight adhesive fluid inside a pattern of carbon nanotubes would be released when outer material is damaged to quickly "set" mid-flight, providing a temporary fix.

Source:http://news.sky.com/story/1296649/cutting-edge-aircraft-of-the-future-revealed

[Paralectic]

BAE systems..

lol

such bae.

[Yun4xGaming]

Looks ugly if you ask me

[felixbearpig]

Looks ugly if you ask me

most futuristic concepts are ugly

[Unhelpful]

Looks ugly if you ask me

And that matters... How?

[Tataffe]

Every major aircraft manufacturer releases their current "vision of the future" from time to time. The ones shown here are neither promising nor really new ideas.

[jonno45]

Every G7 country including Russia is working on similar platforms...£117m is not a lot of money on a project like this,...Look at BAE's new rail gun in assocition with US Navy, that will work day in day out on a cruiser with enough power to light a small city! now thats state of the art!

[Yun4xGaming]

And that matters... How?

it matters for me because im an aviation enthusiast and friggin love planes and i will do a PPL(Private Pilot License) soon

[Unhelpful]

it matters for me because im an aviation enthusiast and friggin love planes and i will do a PPL(Private Pilot License) soon

Then you should know that function > aesthetics, especially with early models.

[mully006]

As someone who works in the aviation industry and just spent 6 months working on aviation research I can tell you that none of these will happen by 2040 if they happen at all.

It take around 30 years to develop a new aircraft so unless all of this tech is working perfectly now it is doubtful it will be ready by 2040.

[ionbasa]

They are literally re-inventing the wheel.

The first render looks like the B2 spirit:

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The second render looks like a modified SR-71 Blackbird:

[totjup5]

This is pretty insane.

[That Norwegian Guy]

Wow, they couldn't afford a better concepting software than Bryce 3D from 1997 on Mac OS 7?

[Yun4xGaming]

Then you should know that function > aesthetics, especially with early models.

Yeah that's true but still, i don't like the looks of the future planes and to be honest i think the oldschool planes look beauitful

[Unhelpful]

Yeah that's true but still, i don't like the looks of the future planes and to be honest i think the oldschool planes look beauitful

It might look better eventually. It doesn't matter what industry it is in, when you are developing something brand-new you don't worry about aesthetics until the product is done.

[Yun4xGaming]

It might look better eventually. It doesn't matter what industry it is in, when you are developing something brand-new you don't worry about aesthetics until the product is done.

yeah true

[Gunjob]

@ionbasa B2 is also based off German WWII "flying wing" designed aircraft such as the ME163, alot of designs and ideas are reused in aviation. Barely a modern plane in the sky that isn't using some of BAE's electronics.

[FloRolf]

A bunch of scientists makes 3d models of drones and aircrafts for which they imagine weird super powers and no one bats an eye, but if you play video games with similar content all day everyone loses their minds!