BAE Systems has launched a new aerospace R&D division called FalconWorks that is focused on developing new air combat capabilities.
FalconWorks has 1,000 employees at six sites across the UK, who are tasked with horizon scanning for ideas and conducting R&D projects with partners such as SMEs, academic institutions and research organizations to deliver advanced combat air capabilities for the UK and its allies.
These will include innovating in areas such as hypersonics, information advantage, novel vehicles and space and technologies such as advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomy, materials and additive manufacturing.
Dave Holmes, managing director of FalconWorks at BAE Systems said, “Defending our freedoms is becoming ever more unpredictable – the only constant is change.
“The creation of FalconWorks is a reflection of the changing environment and our goal to ensure innovative technology development is at the core of everything we do.
“This new division builds on our established expertise in world-leading combat air programs such as Typhoon, F-35 and Tempest to unlock opportunities to expand our portfolio and deliver the breakthrough technologies which keep our customers ahead.”
In the past three years BAE Systems has invested £800 million in R&D and the new division will aim to deliver a long term customer-centric approach to R&D investments, exploring market opportunities in the UK and international air sector, said the company.
