BAE has launched a new division within its Air Sector called FalconWorks, the company announced on 10 July 2023.
BAE describes FalconWorks as a new centre for advanced and agile research and development designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and its allies. Its mission – “to revolutionise and accelerate game-changing technology at pace” – has obvious applications for the Tempest/Global Combat Air Programme, which has the ambitious target of putting a sixth-generation combat aircraft into Royal Air Force service from 2035.
While obvious parallels can be drawn between FalconWorks and the famous Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, it appears that the BAE construct with be much more collaborative. “FalconWorks will focus on generating ideas, innovation and collaboration – working with new and existing partners, academia, research organisations, SMEs and national governments to deliver rapid concepting of new products and services needed by air force customers to maintain their edge,” the company noted in a press release. “Specialists at FalconWorks will assess emerging trends and deliver solutions with speed and efficiency, increasing the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum sensing and robotics. They will also collaborate with partners in areas such as autonomy, synthetic environments and electrical powered air systems.”
The advent of FalconWorks is also perhaps a reflection of more traditional procurement practices being inadequate in keeping pace with the threats they are meant to address.
Dave Holmes, the managing director of the FalconWorks facility, was quoted as saying, “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 programmes 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 terms of the FalconWorks portfolio, the BAE Systems website lists capabilities in the areas of artificial intelligence, nano technologies, additive materials and techniques, and low observation materials. FalconWorks will also encompass previous forward-looking BAE initiatives, such as its ‘Factory of the Future’ concept, to which it has added the ‘Hangar of the Future’.
The FalconWorks product output, meanwhile, will focus “on early life cycle concepts for, not just what comes next, but what comes after next”, according to the company.
Peter Felstead