BAE Systems has a proud heritage across our air, avionics, land, maritime, space and systems domains, encompassing over 450 years of continuous development and innovation.
Our historical predecessors include such illustrious names as Alvis, Avro, Barrow Shipbuilding, Blackburn Aircraft, Bofors, British Aerospace, Detica, Elliott Bros, English Electric, Ferranti, Hawker Siddeley, Marconi, Plessey, Royal Ordnance, Sopwith, Thornycroft, Vickers-Armstrongs, Vospers, Yarrows and many more. All have contributed to making BAE Systems a world leader in global defence, security, and aerospace, playing a crucial role in providing cutting-edge solutions for defence, cybersecurity, and air, land, and naval systems to governments and industries worldwide.
de Havilland Aircraft Company
The de Havilland Aircraft Company was formed at Hendon, North London by aircraft designer and pioneer Geoffrey de Havilland on 25th September 1920. Space restrictions at London led to moving almost immediately to Stag Lane Aerodrome in nearby Edgware where it produced some of the most successful and iconic commercial and military aircraft of the inter-war years.
Alliot Verdon Roe
Geoffrey de Havilland
Harry George Hawker
Tom Sopwith
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