A British defence company, BAE Systems, has revealed a set of igneous techniques which might transform the face of war in 2040. The range includes Self Healing Planes, Laser Guns, ‘Transformers’ and 3D printed drones.
Laser Guns are being considered most close to being operational. Concentrated beam of energy shall be aimed at a target and will be fired at the speed of light-like the ones in Star Wars or Star Trek. The results are expected to be more deadly as compared to that of traditional missiles. The US Ministry of Defence confirmed its involvement in research of the weapons and said that they will have a laser weapon ready this Summer. The laser guns will have a fraction of the cost of missiles. However, rain and dust can confine its use.
The world of 3D is seeing a constant boom. BAE engineers can finally print metal parts. The idea is to have a 3D printer on-board to create drones which can then be deployed as and when need. They have also revealed a video showing a drone being printed in the air.
“You are suddenly not fixed in terms of where you have to manufacture these things,” says BAE’s Mike Murray. “You can manufacture the products and whatever base you want, providing you can get a machine there, which means you can also start to support other platforms such as ships and aircraft carriers.”
The ‘Survivor’ is a self-healing plane which uses nanotechnology to fix the damage done to it mid-air. The sensors first determine the exact kind of damage which is done to it and what is required to rectify the problem. Carbon nanotubes are injected into any holes created. The tubes contain adhesive fluid which fixes the impairment and the plane can safely accomplish its mission.
The most amazing design is the ‘Transformer’ which can split into fragments mid-air. The different parts can perform their tasks independently. It could be surveillance, dropping off supplies or even going offensive, if needed. Once done, the fragments assemble back for a trip back home.
‘By combining the jets on longer journey there could be potential gains to be made in terms of increased range and fuel savings by cutting the amount of drag’, scientists claim.
