Science & Technology

Self-healing aircraft coming within 30 years

By T.K. Randall
July 7, 2014

Image: F-22 Raptor
Credit: Kevin Robertson / (PD) U.S. Air Force Defense giant BAE Systems has revealed a number of new technology concepts that represent "the ultimate adaptable taskforce" and that could revolutionize warfare within the coming decades.

Among them are aircraft with the ability to automatically 'heal' any damage sustained while on a mission and 'Transformer' aircraft that are able to split apart in to several independent vehicles.The researchers also unveiled a concept for a 3D printer that can be carried aboard a plane and used to produce and launch specially tailored drones in the middle of a mission. Plans to build a special laser weapon capable of shooting down missiles in flight are also being considered.

"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," said engineering manager Nick Colosimo.

Source: Telegraph

Tags: Transformers, Aircraft, Self-healing