Investing in technology to secure a sustainable future
Developing innovative technologies is a key part of the work we do, and will ensure we have a sustainable business that will continue to create value for our stakeholders and customers.
Next-generation technologies
Our technology strategy is driven by the challenges that our customers are facing now and will face in the future. Our customers not only need next-generation technologies to complete their missions successfully, but many have also reiterated their commitment to improving sustainability through reducing their environmental impact. We're working on a range of technologies - like low-emission propulsion, energy storage, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, automation - to help them to fulfil these ambitions, as well as working to reduce the environmental impact of our own activities.
Our priorities
Continue our work to increase sustainability, both at the facilities we operate and in the products we supply to customers
Continue to invest and leverage external technologies and advances through scouting and collaborative partnerships
Continue working with academic and industry partners to develop and apply new technology, including deploying Industry 4.0
Sustainability in action
R&D and collaborations
As well as partnering with our customers, we work with other companies and academia to invest in technologies and assets that complement our existing capabilities or our future product strategy.
Clearing the path for electric flight
We're pairing flight controls with aircraft power management and energy systems to help urban air mobility aircraft take off
Solar powered flight
PHASA-35 is a solar-electric, high altitude, long endurance, unmanned aerial system which provides an alternative to systems such as satellites or conventionally powered aircraft
Towards a digital shipyard
Our Global Combat Ship is the first of its type to be fully designed on digital systems and now we aim to go much further, as we digitise our shipyards.
Read more technology features
1.6bn
Investment in R&D
The Group spent £1.6bn on R&D in 2020, of which £236m was funded by BAE Systems
c.9,200
Synthetic training events
Completed in UK synthetic pilot training facilities in 2020, saving the equivalent to 184,000 tonnes of CO2
c.2500
Inventions worldwide
Our portfolio of patents and patent applications covers approximately 2,500 inventions worldwide
