3 May 2023

BAE Systems co-pilots with University of Sheffield's AMRC on digital innovations

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and BAE systems are trying to progress data visualisation, automation and digital inspection during the maintenance of aircraft.

Development simulator at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, UK - credit BAE Systems — The development simulator at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, UK, where software for the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training programme is being engineered © BAE Systems

Future Air Support was launched by BAE Systems in November 2022 at Royal Air Force Coningsby, home to the UK's Typhoon fleet. The AMRC - which researches technologies in the aerospace, automotive, medical and high-value manufacturing sectors - has joined the project to investigate how digital technologies and more sustainable solutions can elevate the RAF's frontline aircraft.

AMRC says that the innovations will significantly reduce costs and improve the availability of Typhoon's and, in the future, Tempest. The technologies could be used to reduce fatigue and injuries among support crews as well as improve the speed of maintenance.

Programmes include exoskeletons, autonomous co-bots, augmented reality headsets and sustainable operations.