FalconWorks

Defending our freedoms is becoming ever more unpredictable - where the only constant is change. This requires us to wonder, not just what comes next, but what comes after next? And how we can accelerate ideas that help to shape it.

FalconWorks® is our centre for advanced research and technology development in the Air Sector. Through FalconWorks, we push technology forward. We’ve grown our portfolio of uncrewed air systems capabilities through new collaborations and we act as a docking port for the wider Air sector to turn ideas into innovation.

We scan horizons to identify capabilities for today and beyond, enabling our customers to achieve and maintain competitive advantage. FalconWorks® is our centre for advanced research and technology development in the Air Sector. Through FalconWorks, we scan horizons to identify capabilities that accelerate possibilities, enabling our customers to achieve and maintain competitive advantage.

6WKHR6 FalconWorks overview video - Refresh 2.0 (Master) V3

Statistics

c. 2,000

Employees across our UK business and entities

FalconWorks locations across the UK

60+

Partnerships with industry experts and academia

What we do

Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS)

Our customers operate in a complex and ever-changing battlespace. FalconWorks is home to an ever-growing suite of capabilities developed through collaboration. Working with leading technology experts we're developing capabilities with a focus on delivering affordable, adaptable and sustainable solutions.

Our uncrewed concepts and solutions provide a wide array of air power effects which offer flexibility in range, payload and cost.

Explore our UAS portfolio

PHASA-35®

An ultra-lightweight solar powered High Altitude Psuedo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), providing a cost-effective alternative to sensing and communication systems.

T-Series

A family of all-electric heavy lift Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) that provide cost-effective, sustainable rapid response solutions to a wide range of applications.

Koios

A medium-sized uncrewed air system offering strategic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities with a tactical footprint.

Fregata

A conventional take off and landing (CTOL) platform, offering strategic intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

New collaborations

We’re working with defence and technology experts to explore and advance new capabilities. Drawing on our collective know-how to shape new ideas and drive results faster than ever before.

UAS collaboration - Illustrative concept Sept 2025

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® and BAE Systems’ FalconWorks®

A strategic partnership to develop a range of uncrewed autonomous air systems.

BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace

A strategic alliance to explore opportunities to collaborate on the development of uncrewed air systems (UAS).

Part of a wider eco-system

Building on BAE Systems' rich heritage of research and development, FalconWorks is forging unique partnerships with institutions across academia, research organisations, SMEs and national governments to co-create new capabilities that accelerate the innovation of future air power.

discover how we're partnering for success

Capabilities

Emerging technology

FalconWorks is exploring new and emerging technologies that will undepin our future capabilities in a way that's never been done before. These technologies include advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, the ability to work in the cloud securely, and the ability to design and build things at pace and at scale to provide customers with a critical edge.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

From autonomous aircraft to a more personalised training plan for pilots and crew, AI is expected to continue growing in capabilities and importance for years to come.

Advanced Technology Solutions

Delivering high-tech solutions from microwave materials to micro and nano technologies across air, land and sea.

Additive Manufacturing

3D printing capabilities are driving a more agile and sustainable solution for aircraft manufacturing.

Low Observable Materials

With over 60 years experience, our capability has consistently been at the forefront of microwave material design and manufacture, including radar absorbent materials (RAM).

Autonomy

We are developing novel autonomous technologies at pace to help keep our customers ahead of their opponents.

Technology Capability Delivery – Systems

The team designs and builds technologies that span both live and synthetic domains. This includes developing systems for modelling and simulation, synthetic environments, and the software that drives them. Specialists within the team identify and develop solutions using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum sensing, robotics, and autonomy.

Technology Capability Delivery – Airframe

The team uses advanced digital design and manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing and digital twins, to quickly test new airframe concepts. This agile approach reduces the time and cost associated with traditional aircraft development. The team is closely integrated with Factory of the Future, a state-of-the-art facility that showcases new manufacturing technologies and processes.

Technology Capability Delivery – Training & Support

The team develops new, modern training methodologies including creating and applying synthetic environments, augmented reality (AR), and other immersive digital learning tools to train students more effectively and efficiently.

FalconWorks Hubs

Innovation Spaces

Our FalconWorks innovation centres include a range of physical and non-physical environments where new products and capabilities can be developed and tested securely and at pace.

Factory of the Future

A state-of-the-art, connected, intelligent manufacturing hub in Lancashire - capable of showcasing how new, novel and emerging technologies will change the way we build aircraft in the future.

Air Labs

Utilising the latest technologies, Air Labs helps to continuously evolve and enhance the performance of frontline aircraft and the way we train people to operate and support them.

Combat air demonstrator - engine bench on display

Hangar of the Future

We are developing the transformative technologies which will make up the Hangar of the Future including greener, more sustainable solutions and digital twinning.