London: BAE Systems have claimed that with the help of futuristic technology like 3D printers they could create small drones by 2040.
It was suggested by the defence firm`s scientists and engineers that these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) could potentially be used as a group of wide-winged aircraft for protracted or enduring surveillance or as rotary-winged UAVs to rescue single civilians or soldiers from dangerous situations, the Guardian reported.
Nick Colosimo, a futurist and engineering manager at its research and development team in Warton, Lancashire, said that BAE Systems have a rich heritage in research and development and work done by thousands of scientists and engineers.
Although, they don`t know exactly what sorts of aircraft technologies will be used in 2040 with any certainty, but it`s great to be able to show the public some concepts that might be possible through projecting where today`s technology could get to, he further added.
The defence firm has unveiled the `3D printed UAV` as one of the many futuristic technologies like the `Survivor`, an aircraft that could heal itself or `Transformer`, a long-range aircraft which divides into a number of smaller one, they believe could be incorporated in military and civil aircraft in 2040 or even earlier.